UPPER Lambourn trainer Jonathan Portman made two attempts to win races carrying his name at Newbury on Tuesday evening, but narrowly missed out on both occasions, writes Dave Wright.

His Mild Illusion (12/1) finished four-and-a-half lengths behind the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Special Secret (9/2) in Division One of the Win With Jonathan Portman Fillies' Novice Auction Stakes Newbury on Tuesday.

In Division Two, Portman's Lethal Talent, again ridden by Rob Hornby, finished a close-up fourth in a race won by another 8/1 chance, Twice As Likely, the mount of Shane Kelly and trained by Richard Hughes, another Upper Lambourn trainer.

Gas Monkey proved an easy winner of the apprentice handicap. Steered by 5lb claimer Sean Kirrane, the four-year-old was always well placed in the 1m 3f race and the 11/2 shot, trained and bred by Julie Fielden, went on to win by eight lengths from Banksy's Art (14/1) in the hands of George Bass.

Picture Frame, who went off the 2/1 favourite, stretched clear in decent style to finish more than four lengths clear of Willa (12/1) in the Equine Productions EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes.

There was a much tighter finish to the Pegasus Pumps Ltd Handicap with 8/1 Frontispiece with Kieran Shoemark on board holding off Mackaar (3/1 jt favourite) by a short head.

The runner-up appeared unlucky, however, as David Egan's saddle slipped and was only beaten in the last few strides.

The Mick Channon-trained City Wanderer (7/2 jt-fav) took the Jung Pumpmen & Pump Technology Handicap with Silvestre De Sousa doing the steering.

Aldermaston-based Pump Technology also sponsored the next race with victory going to 7/1 shot Swift Approval (Jason Watson) from Stuart Williams' yard.

Rasheeq (9/1), in the hands of apprentice Seamus Cronin, took the Lee San Marine Sanitation Handicap in good style, finishing more than three lengths clear of Rose Hip (5/1) ridden by Sean Levey.