TRAINER Harry Fry landed a double at Ascot on Saturday.

Drumcliff made it two from two over fences with a decisive victory in the Thames Material Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase, while Acting Lass landed the bet365 Handicap Chase.

Drumcliff, the Seaborough handler's seven-year-old backed up his last-time-out success at Wincanton after carrying rider Aine O'Connor to the front in the two-mile-three-furlong event with considerable ease before clearing right away to cross the line 12 lengths clear of runner-up Russborough.

Fry said of the 11-4 winner: "He is making up for all the mishaps over hurdles. I've never known a rider so apologetic after winning a race - the winning margin might have had something to do with it. She gave him a lovely ride and he has taken her there.

"The trip was perfect today. The ground was possibly a question mark, but you can't fault him today.

"It was a case of the others disappointing rather than us improving as far as the handicapper is concerned."

Sent off the 7-4 favourite, Acting Lass was clear coming to the third-last but he pecked on landing, allowing Kilcrea Vale to set out in pursuit on the turn for home.

The favourite's lead was cut to just a handful of lengths coming down to the final obstacle, but Acting Lass found plenty on the run to the line to win by two and a quarter lengths.

Fry said: "This was never the plan. At the entry stage I rang the owners up and said that he had come out the race in good order and it didn't have many entries.

"It was more valuable than most class one races and the more I looked at it and how he was at home, we had to take our chance.

"It didn't look like happening for three-quarters of a circuit. Noel's plan was to take it up at the last, but hitting the front at the last down the back straight is a bit different."

Meanwhile, the almost three-and-a-quarter miles of the Peter Marsh Chase took some getting, but it was Colin Tizzard's The Dutchman (13-2) who saw it out the best at Haydock.

Harry Cobden had him up there throughout and while Irish raider Fine Rightly cruised up looking a huge threat, he dropped away tamely with Tommy Whittle winner Captain Redbeard holding off Hainan for second.

"It's no secret our horses have not been running well and his run (last time) was the first sign of it," said assistant trainer Joe Tizzard.

"We were quietly confident and dad has been keen to get him back over fences.

"He'll go to the Eider now at Newcastle and we'll have to discuss an entry for the National."