Huffer's 25-1 Guineas hit

The resourceful Huffer has spent more times picking himself up from the canvas than a battered old pro fighter.

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Six years ago he missed the Guineas meeting while locked in prison in the middle of a 15-month sentence for failing to pay VAT and duty on vast amounts of imported alcohol.

Huffer spent much of his time behind bars hoping to be given a second chance as a trainer. The lifeline he craved was offered by Terry Ramsden, another from racing's colourful cast.

Soon, Huffer was back at Newmarket doing what he loves best, with a handful of horses and a bucketful of dreams.

Years ago, he landed the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot with Persian Heights.

But even he cannot have expected to claim one of the Classics barely four years after taking out a licence again.

"You could say I've had a chequered career," he said yesterday.

"Certainly, I look on what happened to me as an education in life. But I was always going to come back when I was ready, and winning this means everything to me. I never used to be a small trainer but now I am, thankfully."

Huffer has served his time in racing, too, starting as a 13-year-old apprentice, working later as a taxi driver and more recently as part of the road crew for the group Guns 'n' Roses before his downfall while importing alcohol. But the desire to train proved irresistible.

"I only gave up training the first time in 1991 because my principal owner was killed in the Gulf war. I always expected to be back.

"Cockney Rebel is the best I've trained and I've had a few. I was telling anyone who would listen that he would finish in the first three after he put 25 lengths between himself and his lead horse at Lingfield 10 days ago."

In an earlier life, Huffer was a drummer with pop group Mungo Jerry.

Yesterday he shared centre stage with ageing rocker Steve Harley, the lead singer of Cockney Rebel.

Harley still tours, but he's long been a racing fan and was celebrating a major touch yesterday.

"Although I don't own one bit of this horse, I did back him at long prices," said Harley. "This is as exciting as anything that's happened to me."

Result:

1 Cockney Rebel (O Peslier) 25-1

2 Vital Equine (C Catlin) 33-1

3 Dutch Art (J Fortune) 14-1

24 ran

Also: 4-1 Fav Adagio, 14-1 Duke Of Marmalade 4th

CSF: £692.93

Tricast: £11518.71