Jeremy Scott ends drought as stable jockey Matt Griffiths continues his recovery

Thursday: Exeter

Jeremy Scott went a frustrating 57 days without a winner this season, yet the Somerset trainer only had to wait 40 minutes for his second when he enjoyed a double at the Devon track.

Scott has endured a testing time, with stable jockey Matt Griffiths recovering from a car accident which resulted in a passenger dying and left the rider in intensive care.

Champagne Court gave the stable a much-needed boost when he got the better of 5-2 favourite Guernesey in a thrilling climax to the 2m2½f handicap hurdle under Lorcan Williams.

Scott then watched De Young Warrior surge late to pull off a 22-1 shock in the 3m handicap chase, and was just inches away from a treble after Sienna Royale was caught late to go down by a head in the closing 2m5½f amateur riders' handicap hurdle.

"It's been a long time coming," Scott said. "We've had plenty of seconds but to be honest I haven't been to the races very often where I thought we could win a race.

"We sold a lot of the handicappers who were struggling and now the stable is full of young horses. We're doing the donkey work with a lot of them and we're just getting there. I can see a lot more winners coming out in the next two months than we have had in the previous three."

He added: "Matt's good, he's at home now. Physically he's in pretty good shape, although the head injury really knocked him sideways. He remembers all of the horses but sometimes he wouldn't remember who brought him a cup of tea – I think that's understandable given the nature of the injury.

Matt Griffiths: is continuing his recovery after being involved in a horror car crash in OctoberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The improvement he has made over the last two months is amazing and if it continues hopefully he'll be able to lead a pretty normal life.

"Matt was such a big part of the team as he was in riding every day and you miss a key member like that. I'm sorry he isn't riding but I hope soon he'll be fit enough to come and do a bit. At the moment he wouldn't be able to sit on a horse as his balance isn't quite there but in time he might be able to."

Change of luck

It has already been a week of mixed fortune for Anthony Honeyball, who enjoyed a confidence-boosting double just in time for stable star Regal Encore's weekend run at Ascot.

Leading prospect Kid Commando suffered a fatal fall at Plumpton on Monday but a winless spell of 18 runners was broken when favourite Swincombe Fleat obliged in the 2m2½f novice hurdle before Deja Vue doubled up in the 2m1½f mares' novice chase.

Read more in race reports:

Owners savour I K Brunel win – in race they sponsor: 'We thought we'd lost him'

Martin Keighley hits personal-best score with Ben Buie's success

Paul Nicholls eyes more Listed success with Rainyday Woman

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here