REDDITCH trainer Ian Williams celebrated a big Saturday winner when Poker School landed the BGC Partners Handicap Chase at Ascot.

The six-year-old bagged his first win over fences in the £25,000 race, shown live on Channel 4, after a confident ride from jockey Donagh Meyler at 8/1.

The bay gelding is owned by a partnership that includes golfer Lee Westwood and former pro Chubby Chandler.

Williams was pleased with the success, saying: "It was all about how he handled the challenge of Ascot. In the end, he did the job well.

"He schooled a lot over the summer and handled the fences well, which was pleasing.

"We'll now wait and see what the handicapper does and look for his next targets in the new year. He still has margin for improvement."

Williams and his team at Dominian Racing Stable, Portway, quickly followed up Poker School's success when Bamako du Chatelet scored on the all-weather at Lingfield on Sunday.

The horse bounced back from a crashing fall when last seen out five weeks ago to post his fourth career win.

"It has been a great year," added Williams. "We had our first Cheltenham Festival winner with Ballyalton and recently landed our 1,000th winner as well.

"It's an exciting time. We are now also looking to build up our jumps string again, which is something we've always been keen on."