York remains top of the list of David Abell's favourite racecourses after the owner scooped another double at the track yesterday. Abell has not enjoyed the best of seasons in 1998 so he was given a great lift by the victories of Alberich and Ice.

The successes came three years to the day after the same colours were carried to victory by Branston Abby and Branston Jewel. Last year Abell had to come to terms with the loss of the talented Branston Abby, who died when in foal to Mark of Esteem.

"Things haven't been going well. We've sold a few and we've only got five horses left now," he said.

"After these two wins our total is up to just six for the season and that's not too bad when you think we've only had 45 runners," said Abell.

Alberich, trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Darryll Holland, had been on the sidelines since last October.

But the 20 to 1 outsider of the party showed no signs of rustiness as he reeled in Murghem inside the final furlong to prevail by half a length in the Sun Life of Canada Garrowby Rated Handicap.

"He had recurring lameness in his right-fore after his last year and had to be operated on to remove a chip just above his knee," said Johnston.

"We were guessing a little about his right trip today and we thought he might have been thrown in at the deep end by the handicapper but it's worked out okay in the end."

Johnston and Holland went on to complete a 156 to 1-plus double as Ice shrugged off a 5lb penalty in the ACMC Nursery.

The colt, revitalised since being fitted with a visor on his last outing, gamely held off Fiori by half a length.

Lujain, ridden by Frankie Dettori, barely came out of an exercise canter as he dismissed his five rivals with ease in the Newton Fund Managers Novice Stakes.

Kieren Fallon was on the mark for the first time since returning from suspension when guiding home Great Dane in the Kufner Textiles (UK) 25th Anniversary Strensall Stakes.