A RIVALRY has developed between Robertsbridge racehorse trainer Gardie Grissell and Findon's Josh Gifford.

Grissell's forecast that he can battle with Gifford for places in the winner's enclosure has come true.

He said in this column two weeks ago: "We'll be chasing up Josh Gifford as soon as the ground eases."

And Gardie broke his duck for the season when he saddled a double at Fontwell last week while his promising 18-year-old amateur Ben Hitchcott rode his first winner under National Hunt rules.

Experienced jockey Adrian Maguire rode Muldova home for Grissell and Hitchcott made it two when First Instance was first in the Fireworks at Fontwell Chase.

But Gifford has picked up Grissell's gauntlet. He had a nice winner at Fontwell when Olabud scored, and the Findon trainer is now in double figures following a treble at Plumpton on Monday.

Josh is now on 11 from 48, a strike rate of 21 percent and not far off passing last season's miserable total of 17 winners.

For all that, the genial former champion jump jockey had mixed feelings when Boardroom Shuffle won on the same card for trainer Noel Chance.

Josh trained Boardroom Shuffle last season, but owner Alan Weller, unnerved by the trainer's lack of form moved his horses to Lambourn. It would have been a nice gesture if Weller had congratulated Josh on his treble instead of ignoring it entirely.

Two of the Findon winners were ridden by Leighton Aspell, who has also put behind him the horror of last year.

He went through the mill when hassled by the police and accusations of doping, although no charges were ever made, while winners were hard to come by.

But now Leighton has ridden seven this year, riding with confidence and flair, is set for a good season.

The Plumpton meeting was dominated by local trainers as Storrington's Richard Rowe saddled Sir Valentine to win the two-and-a-half mile Handicap Hurdle in the colours of Adrian Pratt, a director and part owner with BHB chairman Peter Savill of the race course.

Sir Valentine was ridden by 20-year-old Andrew Garritty, who joined Rowe from reland in the summer.

Rowe said: "Andrew is a very good rider and a good schooling jockey as well. He deserves more chances and I hope this winner will get him some outside rides."

Meanwhile, Hitchcott was brought down to earth with a bang when partnering The Bizz in a two-and-a-half mile novices hurdle at Ascot.

Never able to go the pace, The Bizz was tailed off before halfway and finally fell at the seventh flight.

Ben will learn two lessons from that experience.

First, to make sure his agent does not put him on horses with poor form figures and second, when totally out of touch on a tired horse, to pull up.

There are no medals for continuing under those circumstances, only the increased risk of a pointless fall.

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