TOM was the headline act, but it was another Jones, Charlotte, who stole the show at Cartmel once again.

She was the belle of the ball with her debut win at the track last month, and now Jones was the lady of the moment at the June meeting.

The Barrow jockey claimed her second victory with an amazing run up the straight on board Lough Kent to claim the Ron Wadey Now 70 Years Old Handicap Chase.

In the big race of the day – worth £20,000 and with top jockeys Brian Hughes, Henry Brooke and Sam Twiston-Davies among her competitors, Jones made it happen on board the eight-year-old.

Lough Kent was one of a number of horses tracking leader Beyondtemptation on the opening circuit and was well back among them as they reached the last.

But, as Hughes forced his way to the front on board Captain Brown at the start of the run-in, Jones kept her cool and closed down the leader stride by stride up the straight, timing it perfectly to win by a neck.

There was no standing in the saddle celebration – though there was much jumping and cheering among the crowd – but a smile as wide the course enclosure as she walked into the winners’ circle the victor in the feature Class Two race.

As her friends, family and backers shouted her name, the shock on her face was obvious, and 22-year-old Jones, who only sat on a racehorse for the first time two years ago, said: “It’s brilliant.

“I’m a little bit shocked – it’s not a conditional race. But the horse is in good form, he’s going better than ever.

“When I crossed the line, I thought ‘have I just won? Have I just beat Brian?’

“I love him, him, I love him to bits. He’s a good horse and I can’t ask for anything better from him. I’m really chuffed.”

Moffatt was equally pleased, and said: “She made it happen this time, whereas last time it happened around her.”

The trainer kept up his fine record at his local track, with two successes to add to the five from May.

Before Lough Kent, the third came from 7/4 favourite Boruma, with his second success over these hurdles in five weeks.

Hughes, coming into the meeting with the best record of all the jockeys at the South Lakes track this season rode him near the front and took him into the lead three from home.

Boruma was never going to be caught as they battled it out for the minor placed behind him, taking the win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Moffatt – who already has plans to run the seven-year-old in the big Cumbria Crystal Trophy at the July meeting – was pleased to see a horse obviously on top of his game take the honours.

“He’s a grand horse,” said the Pit Farm Stables handler. “He’s straightforward and he’s good fun.

“He was quite a handful last year, but the key has been giving him a three-month break in the winter – he just came back a different horse, with a different attitude.

“He obviously likes the ground here, and it’s great.”

If it was a good day for Boruma, it was another bad afternoon at the office for Mondlicht, as he refused to start under Brooke for the second race running.

Despite being in good position for the off, the stubborn seven-year-old went nowhere – eventually persuaded to start running when the rest of the field were two furlongs ahead.

“He’s a horse with a lot of ability, and I fancied him here today,” said Moffatt. “We might have one more stab at him somewhere – not here – but we’re nearly at the end of the tracks with him.”

“If only horses could talk,” noted one observer.

“He’d probably tell me ‘I don’t want to be a racehorse!’,” smiled Moffatt.

Brooke had enjoyed earlier success on evens favourite Its Panorama in the Jennings Hurdle Cumberland Ale Maiden Hurdle.

He lived up to that billing, coming past Moffatt’s Strong Resemblance at the final flight and easing into a four-length lead by the time they crossed the line.

Hughes claimed his second victory of the afternoon on Verona Opera in the Brown Horse at Winster Beginners’ Chase, a third favourite – this time at 7/4 – to please the punters in succession.

Brother Scott broke that run with a post-to-post success in the Cartmel Old Grammar Country House Handicap Chase under Sean Quinlan, leading them round over two miles, five furlongs, and refusing to be closed down on the long run-in.

Hughes came close with a storming finish on Sendiym, despite a blunder on the wood side on the second circuit when the jockey did well to hold on.

He came up the outside on the home straight, but was just unable to catch second-placed Dica, under Ross Chapman, with Quinlin ahead of them all across the line.

Amateur jockey Becky Smith was a hugely popular winner in the Hadwins Motor Group Handicap Chase.

Smith kept Camillas Wish at the front of a tighly-packed bunch all the way round the three circuits of Cartmel fences, before accelerating away after the last.

There were cheers across the course as the 100/30 shot showed no signs of letting up, with none of the chasing pack able to get anywhere close.

Smith was even able to ease up and give her ride a congratulatory pat as they crossed the line eight lengths clear for her first win over fences, to go with six previous hurdles successes, and four on the Flat.

The 30-year-old, who was told she might not rider again after a severe knee injury four years ago, was thrilled with the success – her third on board Camillas Wish this season – and said: “I was more of a Flat jockey, but I think I might be better at jumping! It means a lot to me.

“It’s a very special win, my sister is here today as well. My dad passed away in March, and he told me never to give up.”

Robert Hogg wrapped up the racing action with victory on Beeno in the Country Refreshments Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, as the crowd readied themselves for Sir Tom.

He was set to provide the thrills in the evening, but none could be greater than that produced by Jones’ Lough Kent success.