Dvinsky ninth in record race

Dvinsky: Only ninth

Dvinsky officially become Britain's busiest racehorse of the modern era when making his 218th competitive start in division two of the 32Red.com Handicap at Wolverhampton.

The 11-year-old had joined Sharp Hat, who retired in 2007, at the top of the list when he ran for the 217th time at Kempton a little over a week ago.

Now in his 10th season, the Paul Howling-trained gelding was faced with giving weight and a beating to 10 rivals under Tom McClaughlin, who was riding the veteran for the 27th time.

Quickly away, it looked like Dvinsky might get his favoured lead on the front end but Greyemkay blazed a trail with McLaughlin's mount in pursuit.

McLaughlin had started to nudge by the three-pole but Dvinsky stuck to his guns after straightening for home, despite the writing being on the wall, before it became a lost cause.

Eventually eased in the closing stages, Howling's pride and joy had to settle ninth for behind 9-2 winner Balti's Sister.

Howling told At The Races: "They went very hard and very fast. He's run a good race - that's him, he tries very hard. There's another day.

"He is better at Kempton but we came here to break the record and we will see what is around. He's still in good heart and will win again."

McLaughlin said: "They went very hard, probably too hard for the old boy, but he's come back sound and lives to fight another day."

It was Dvinsky's 34th Wolverhampton appearance, a course where he has won twice and been placed on a further nine occasions.

Dvinsky has so far won 19 races and amassed over £117,000 in win and place prize-money.