JOHN EDWARDS, who brings the curtain down on his 29 year training career tomorrow, made his final visit to the winner's enclosure at Leicester yesterday.
Edwards, best known for his association with dual Champion Chase winner Pearlyman, Sun Alliance victor Monsieur le Cure and Mackeson hero Multum In Parvo, announced at the beginning of the month that his retirement was imminent.
The Ross On Wye trainer had debated sending out his last runner on Saturday, but decided to wait in the hope of one final suecess. He was vindicated when Sigma Run, whose jockey Richard J9hnson was sporting the Monsieur le Cure colours, came home an emphatic winner of the Leicester Novices' Chase.
Having put in a sketchy display of fencing, the seven year old produced a effervescent leap to take up the running at the second last and galloped on to defeat Captain Stockford by 11 lengths.
Edwards will send out his last runner when Jultara contests the Bogmarsh Novices' Chase at Hereford tomorrow.
But, whatever Jultara's fate, Edwards has seen the inside of the winner's circle for the final time as he will be supervising Sigma Run's sale at Doncaster.
"I was going to retire on Saturday but I wanted to go out on a winner," he said. "Now hopefully I will have one more." Asked by pressmen to nominate the highlight of his career, Edwards responded with just one word.
"Pearlyman."
Those who put their faith in Coolteen Hero could only look on in disbelief as the top weight spun round violently at the start and unshipped Willie McFarland.
Venetia Williams and Norman Williamson, two names formerly on the payroll at Edwards' yard, combined to take the Midland Handicap Chase with 5 to 4 favourite Imperial Venture.
Williamson, who rode Multum In Parvo to take the Mackeson in 1990, made all aboard the top weight to account for Celtic Town by three lengths.
"I rang the handicapper up when I saw he had given him 6lb more for winning at Haydock," said the trainer, who worked as assistant to Edwards between 1987 and 1993.
"He said: `I am quite prepared to be proved wrong,' and I think he deserves an apology."
Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy teamed up for an early double with Daraydan and Peter Monamy.
