'One minute I could be riding at Newbury and three hours later making steaks'

Promising apprentice Gavin Ashton has found the recipe for success both at home and abroad in recent weeks, which is no surprise as he works as a part-time chef in the Newmarket pub he calls home.

The 25-year-old was put through a few hoops earlier in his career but is now on an upward curve as stable apprentice to Roger Varian with 22 winners to his name at home and in Germany.

Ashton, who became a qualified chef at 17, may have to put some German dishes on the menu at The Kentford pub after riding two winners at Hannover last Sunday, one of whom was a 66-1 chance.