Zigzag Stewart proved a worthy winner of the £5,000 William Hill Cesarewitch over 645 metres at the Stadium last night, writes JOHN GAISFORD.

The black and white dog, owned and trained in Manchester by June McCombe, won the all-important battle from the traps and scorched home, never headed, to land the 71st running of this great event.

The Belle Vue-trained dog was having only his third open race and made it a hat-trick in the best possible way.

The 4-7 favourite, Greenacre Lin, paid for her poor exit. She was in fact last away, and after encountering trouble at the first bend, ran on well to grab the runners-up spot.

Oxford's big hope, Tiler Tom, was in contention most of the way before finishing fourth.

LAST NIGHT'S RESULTS

7.20: 1 UP DA TRIPESTA 7-4 fav, 2 Oh So Blue 5-2. (4x1). Trainer: Curtin. Time: 27.36.

7.40: 1 KNOCKEEVAN CHAMP 5-4 fav, 2 Rackethall Magic 6-1. (4x3). Trainer: Whitehouse (Milton Keynes). Time: 27.03.

8.00: 1 BURNPARK HONCHO 2-1 fav, 2 Deenside Lord 6-1. (1x2). Trainer: Foster (unatt). Time: 36.92.

8.15: 1 KELSOS BRUNO 5-2, Mustang Hero 9-4 fav. (1x4). Trainer: Reynolds (Walthamstow). Time: 27.71.

8.35: 1 BLACK PEAR 2-5 fav, 2 Gone Walking 9-2. Trainer: Wrighting (Hove). Time: 39.54.

8.50: 1 THREE WAY EBONY 3-1, 2 Paramount Bullet 5-2 jt fav. (1x3). Trainer: Taylor (Milton Keynes). Time: 26.70. Killough Glen (4) 5-2 jt fav.

9.10: 1 LATIN BEAUTY Evens fav, 2 Betathan Pebbles 5-2. (1x4). Trainer: Miller (Sittingbourne). 53.10.

9.25: 1 ROSWELL SPACEMAN 2-1 Fav, 2 Wintons Scruffy 9-2. (1x4). Trainer: Wallis (Walthamstow). Time: 26.79.

9.45 - Cesarewitch Final: 1 ZIGZAG STEWART 3-1, 2 Greenacre Lin 4-7 fav. (1x2). Trainer: McCombe (Bell Vue). Time: 39.61.

10.05: 1 FIVEFOLD FLYER Evens fav, 2 Royal Prince 6-1. (3x1). Trainer: Curtin. Time: 27.12.

10.20: 1 FURLONG FORTUNE 6-1, 2 loose Yourself 2-1 jt fav. (5x4). Trainer: Colton. Time: 27.28. Killeacle Nelly (2) 2-1 jt fav.

10.35: 1 DROOPYS DANTE 5-4 fav, 2 Celestial Storm 4-1. (4x3). Trainer: Curtin. Time: 27.54.