Tag Archive for: Ludlow

Inspection after racing due to start but Ludlow fails to beat the weather

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Racing at Ludlow was abandoned on Thursday after the track failed an inspection which took place after the scheduled time of the first race at the Shropshire track.

The fixture looked set to go ahead after an official course inspection was passed before 7am, but it became clear during the late morning that temperatures were not rising as expected.

The first race was initially delayed by 30 minutes in an attempt to allow further improvements to the course, but a further inspection was then called after trainers and jockeys voiced their concerns and ultimately the decision was made to call off the card.

A view of Ludlow on Thursday
A view of Ludlow on Thursday (David Davies/PA)

Explaining the sequence of events that led to the abandonment, British Horseracing Authority stipendiary steward Tom Evetts told Racing TV: “I arrived on course two and a half hours before the first race and that was following the inspection, which was done by the racecourse this morning and was passed.

“The procedure then is the stewards’ panel chair goes on a course walk with the clerk of the course, approximately two hours before the first race, and they came back and were happy – but they felt an extra half an hour would just help the frost that was left in the ground to come out.

“I went out with the two of them and had a look at a few of the landings and the problem area we’ve got is shaded by the grandstand and we did feel that the extra half a -hour and the improving temperatures would help.

“As we got closer to the first race, we went in and spoke to the riders and a few of the trainers and heard their feedback and it became apparent that they were less happy with the track and the temperatures hadn’t improved to the levels we thought they would.”

The course is inspected by stewards and jockeys
The course is inspected by stewards and jockeys (David Davies/PA)

He added: “It’s unfortunate that we’ve had to call a late inspection, we’ve gone out and looked at the problem area with David Bass, who is the PJA safety officer for the area, Jonjo O’Neill (Jnr) and Tom Bellamy, so three senior riders plus trainers and the racecourse, and it became apparent there is still a little bit of frost in the ground and there was too much risk in continuing.

“It’s a shame it’s happened so late, but we felt that the temperatures would improve and they just haven’t got there sadly.

“I wasn’t here at 7am so I’m not sure what the temperature was, but our role kicks in two hours before the first race and that’s when the inspection would be held by us.

“We didn’t feel there was a need for an inspection initially, we thought just pushing that first back by half an hour would be sufficient, but welfare, both human and equine, is first and foremost and the more we heard from the trainers and riders the more it became apparent they weren’t happy.”

Flooding claims Hereford jumps card

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Poor weather continues to play havoc with National Hunt racing, with Tuesday’s meeting at Hereford the latest to be abandoned due to a waterlogged track.

Significant flooding in several areas left course officials with no alternative but to cancel the six-race card following a lunchtime inspection.

With Leicester having already been called off for the same reason over the weekend, that leaves a void of afternoon racing, with Wolverhampton’s all-weather Flat fixture not starting until 4.30pm.

Thursday’s jumps card at Catterick, which features the North Yorkshire Grand National, is already under threat, with an inspection to be held at 7.45am on Tuesday due to current snow cover and forecast significant frost.

Clerk of the course Fiona Needham said: “To be fair, the snow I wouldn’t be so fussed about, I think if that went, that would be all right, but it’s the incoming frost.

“With all that moisture in the ground, it’s going to freeze solid isn’t it. That’s why I’m looking in the morning, but everybody knows about the weather and I don’t think anybody will be surprised.”

Clonmel’s meeting on Thursday has already been called off with the track covered in snow and unlikely to improve in time for racing.

Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said: “Following adverse weather over the weekend, unfortunately the track at Clonmel is unfit for racing at present due to a covering of snow.

“The current weather forecast is for temperatures to remain very low and dropping as low as -7C in the Clonmel area this week.

“Due to the current conditions and the forecast for the coming days, the fixture scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled.

“The team at Clonmel are working with Horse Racing Ireland regarding a new date for this meeting.”

Monday’s jumps meeting at Ludlow was abandoned due to a waterlogged track but Ayr did go ahead.

Taunton is scheduled to be the only National Hunt fixture on Wednesday, with the going described as soft following 40 millimetres of rain in recent days and the take-offs and landings being covered.

Waterlogging claims Ludlow card

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Monday’s meeting at Ludlow has been called off due to a waterlogged track.

The seven-race National Hunt card was subject to a 7am inspection with two inches of snow at the course on Sunday, but it is waterlogging that has claimed the fixture.

In a post on X, the track said: “Unfortunately, due to waterlogging and no improvement in the forecast we are very sorry to have to abandon today’s fixture.”

Officials at Ayr were also due to inspect at 7am due to the threat of snow and freezing temperatures, but that check was brought forward and the track is fit for action, with the going described as soft, heavy in places.

Jumps racing has been restricted in recent days due to the weather as both Friday and Saturday were blank days due to cancellations, while Sunday’s Chepstow card was abandoned after two races due to unsafe conditions.

Clonmel’s meeting on Thursday has already been called off with the track covered in snow and unlikely to improve in time for racing.

Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said: “Following adverse weather over the weekend, unfortunately the track at Clonmel is unfit for racing at present due to a covering of snow.

“The current weather forecast is for temperatures to remain very low and dropping as low as -7C in the Clonmel area this week.

“Due to the current conditions and the forecast for the coming days, the fixture scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled.

“The team at Clonmel are working with Horse Racing Ireland regarding a new date for this meeting.”

Roving Reports: Compare and Contrast

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First of all, an apology; it's been well over two months since the last of these course missives which is very slack of me, writes David Massey. So I'd like to apologise to Geegeez readers for this tardiness, and to our dear leader, Matt, who I bumped into at the recent HWPA awards. It was good to see the Racing Post win an award or two, they barely win anything, do they? Anyway, I was two seats down from Jeremy Kyle and you'll be delighted to hear he's every bit as entertaining away from the telly as off it. Read what you like into that.

The reason for all this dither and delay, as Boris might have said before he vanished, is simple. I am, of course, in the process of setting up and getting Trackside off the ground alongside my new work-wife Vicki and, frankly, she's very demanding. (Not like that, you filthy lot. Get your minds out the gutter.) The last three months have been something of a whirlwind - if I'm not at a fixture doing paddock reporting then there's notes to type up, or Vicki's cracking the admin whip at me, which is very disconcerting.

I'm not really very business minded, see. A couple of weeks ago a well-known bookmaker's rep offered me a fresh account in exchange for the Trackside services. I was all for it - who wouldn't be, eh? - before Vicki stepped in at the last minute and demanded a five-figure sum instead. See what I mean? I was ready to trade for some magic beans but no, she is insistent people pay actual money for our services. Spoils all my fun, she does.

Anyway, you don't want to know all about that. I'll deal with her as we go along. What you want to know about is where I've been and what I've seen.

Well, as I suspected might be the case, leaving the rails behind and seeing more of the actual courses does offer pause for reflection. I've been to Cheltenham twice already this year, for the October and November meetings. On the plus side, getting your 10,000 steps a day in is easy, but getting around, less so.

It's very much the Insta generation at Cheltenham these days, I'm finding. A race will be in progress but that's taking second place to showing others what a great time you're having by constantly taking selfies, ideally with the course in the background. We're told they're engaging with it all, but the number of times I hear people cheering for a number, not a name, rather suggests otherwise. Perhaps I'm old and wizened (no, really) but if you're gonna shout for something, shout for your horse, or the jockey, not the saddlecloth.

In the interests of some balance, I do think the Invades student days, which seem to be very well run, are a good thing. If you get 5000 students in and take a 10% retention rate, that's 500 you've got coming back another day when it isn't a student day. That's how we build the future, I think.

I contrast that to Wetherby and Charlie Hall Chase Day. Whilst they were in the paddock and walking round for the main event,  they were showing the big race from Down Royal on the screen next to the parade ring. Every pair of eyes was transfixed as little Hewick led them a merry dance, cat-like at every fence, and by the time we have reached two out, the crowd at Wetherby was clearly on his side. Envoi Allen joins him at the last but like the terrier he is he won't lie down, and he's getting every encouragement from Yorkshire to stick his head back in front. The disappointment when he fails by half a length to get back up can literally be heard in a collective sigh from the crowd, but that's swiftly followed by people chattering to each other about what a great race they've just witnessed. Engagement? By the truckload, if you ask me.

Anyway, wasn't it great to see The Real Whacker bounce back to form? He looked an absolute picture beforehand, the best I'd seen him for some while. I suspect there's another big race in him before the season is out.

We've even had a glimpse of the Insta mob at Southwell this autumn. No, really. We had a Ladies Evening there on a Saturday night a few weeks back and the fairly youngish crowd were in full selfie mode. One young lady had a £2 bet, came back up ten minutes later and asked if she'd won. I told her the race hadn't started yet. "OH, WHY DOES HORSE RACING TAKE SO LONG?" she exclaimed. I told her she should be here on a Monday night in January when time literally goes backwards. You have a few races, think it's about half seven, look at your watch and realise it's only just gone five. Now those are long.

I've had my first visit to Ludlow this season too. Like Fakenham, Ludlow is hours from anywhere in the UK and you stumble on the track almost by accident if you take the back way via Much Wenlock, the home of the Olympic Games. (Yes it is, Google it.) The first you know about it is when the car suddenly starts going sideways. There's nothing wrong with your car, you're merely driving over one of the huge mats they have on the road crossings, and the vehicle turns into a giant steerable crab. Great fun. If you've not been to Ludlow, you should - decent racing, good grub you aren't charged a fortune for, one of the best rooftop views in the game, and a blue phone booth with The Rules Of Racing in it. It's worth the long drive. Just don't do that and then Fakenham the next day.

The good lady and I have also made our yearly excursion to the West Country to enjoy the Haldon Gold Cup/Badger Beer double-header. It was a real shame Exeter's card cut up so badly on the day but we did get to see one of our favourite horses in training, the wonderful JPR One, win the big race. He's just a gorgeous horse to look at, always full of enthusiasm for the game, and he does look to have come on again physically from last year. He ran again at Sandown in the Tingle Creek and was far from disgraced in finishing third to Jonbon, and with Djelo, second at Exeter, winning the Peterborough Chase the next day, that looks a solid piece of form now.

The drive to Wincanton on the Saturday takes us through one of the best-named villages in England, the wonderful Queen Camel. I'm fairly sure I've backed a few of those this year. When I'm in charge of things mares handicap hurdles will become consigned to history. The last time I backed a winner in one of those contests I got paid in tanners, I swear.

Anyway, we were also at Sandown at the weekend and my word, was it ever cold and windy. I'm amazed the Saturday fixture was on. Outside our hotel that morning was a sign advertising a steak house. Only thing was the steakhouse was about half a mile away, so far had the sign been blown in the night. Foolishly I'd left my Equidry coat at home but Vicki was wearing hers - a present for her birthday the day before - although she hadn't worked out how the zip worked. She might have a sharp business mind but she's useless with fasteners. Can't have everything. I think our big takeaway from the day was how very quiet Jonbon was before the Tingle Creek, a contrast to his usual exuberant self. It didn't stop him, though. Is he growing up a bit? On this, you'd have to say yes.

It's looking like a quiet week ahead with Leicester underwater already, although I'll be at Warwick on Thursday before moving on to Cheltenham for the weekend. Vicki is staying at home, which is bad news for her if I'm offered a new betting account at any point over those three days. Ah, she won't even know. Anyone want a bobble hat?

Say hello if you see me anywhere, won't you?

 - DM

Forbra Gold Cup always evokes fond memories

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Family and friends with connections to 1932 Grand National-winning jockey Tim Hamey will gather at Ludlow on Thursday for the latest running of the Forbra Gold Cup.

Hamey partnered Forbra to Aintree glory and while he died in 1993 at the age of 88, the fact the Forbra Gold Cup has been run at Ludlow since 1955 means memories are always evoked at this time of year.

Forbra was owned by William Parsonage, Ludlow’s mayor and a bookmaker, and he was trained by Tom Rimell, father of Fred Rimell – who would go on to win the National four times as a trainer himself.

In 1932, he was a jockey, but as he was only 18, he was deemed too inexperienced for the mount, meaning Hamey was the man called upon for the ride on the 50-1 outsider.

Three previous winners were in the line-up that year but in a race stacked full of previous drama, Forbra came through to beat Egremont by three lengths.

Hamey also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Koko in 1926, in what was just the third running of a race that has gone on to become the holy grail for a steeplechaser.

Forbra being led back in by his owner William Parsonage
Forbra being led back in by his owner William Parsonage (Will Lefebve)

His nephew, Will Lefebve, a retired racing journalist, said: “The family is steeped in racing history, as Tim had 12 rides in the National, his son Rex had seven and my father, Len, also had one.

“Tim’s record was very impressive, though, he rode in 12 consecutive Nationals and took part in the 1929 one which had a record 66 runners, finishing sixth of just 10 finishers on Grakle behind Gregalach. Grakle actually went on to win the race in 1931.”

While there have been get-togethers on Forbra Gold Cup day in the past, this time Lefebve has arranged a much bigger group of people with links to Hamey and Forbra.

“I have assembled a gathering of about 40 people directly linked to Forbra – either the horse himself or the race named in his memory – who will descend on Ludlow on Thursday,” he said.

“They include descendants of Forbra’s owner William Parsonage, a bookmaker and mayor of Ludlow, and the race is being sponsored by local hydraulics company Flowfit, which is managed by William’s great grandson Simon.

“Forbra was, of course, trained by Tom Rimell, father of four times National-winning trainer Fred.

“A solid gold trophy was presented to Ludlow racecourse 70 years ago by William’s sons, and according to former course supremo Bob Davies, it is worth around £75,000, and consequently is kept in a Ludlow bank vault for 365 days a year. The winning owner gets his or her hands on it for about an hour!

“I first organised a get-together five years ago of the families representing the owner, trainer and jockey of Forbra, and decided on a repeat assembly this year, when there will be many more ‘connections’ at the track.

“Five of the Hamey clan will be present, including Hamey’s grandson Paul, who is bringing along the replica trophy presented to Tim by the Princess Royal in a 1985 Aintree ceremony hosted by Peter O’Sullevan (before his knighthood), during which all surviving Grand National-winning riders received identical mementos. Tim was then the ‘daddy of them all’.

“As far as the Rimell family is concerned, Fred’s daughter Scarlett (Knipe), who bred both Master Oats and Thistlecrack with her late husband Robin at their Cobhall Court Stud, hopefully will be joined by Mark, Annie and Katie Rimell.

“I expect to feel a bit like a shepherd on Thursday, rounding up his flock, with the likes of Richard Johnson, Bob Davies, Graham Thorner, Henry Daly, Venetia Williams, David Pipe and others expected to be there.

“Simon Parsonage has also purchased at a National Horse Racing Museum auction the saddle used by Tim Hamey on Forbra at Aintree 91 years-plus ago. He has had it ‘framed’ in a glass case and is bringing the saddle to Ludlow.”

Weather concerns for Peterborough Chase meeting

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Sunday’s Peterborough Chase meeting at Huntingdon is under threat due to waterlogging.

While conditions at the Cambridgeshire track have improved since Tuesday, when parts of the home straight were submerged in water, another band of heavy rain is due on Thursday.

As a result clerk of the course Roderick Duncan and his team will inspect the track at 2pm on Thursday to assess conditions.

“It’s a lot better than it was, there is still standing water in a few places, including the start of the Peterborough Chase,” said Duncan.

“The water levels are starting to drop now, but unfortunately looking at the forecast they are just going to get topped up again tomorrow.

“It is not just the rain we’ll get that is the issue, the rain they get in the Northampton area will put us in trouble.

“As we’ve only just called the inspection no discussions have yet taken place about the possibility of rescheduling the Peterborough Chase.”

Prospects for the rest of the week are difficult to gauge at this stage with almost everywhere forecast heavy rain on Thursday.

Market Rasen on Thursday is currently described as soft, heavy in places with some standing water but not on the racing line.

On the same day Wincanton are inspecting at 8am and while the course is currently raceable, a yellow weather warning for rain is in place putting the meeting in grave danger.

Leicester on Thursday had already been abandoned.

Exeter’s meeting on Friday is subject to a 7.30am precautionary inspection on raceday due to the same weather warning affecting Wincanton.

At Sedgefield ahead of Friday the going is already heavy with rain forecast all day Thursday.

Wetherby are scheduled to race on Saturday but the course was waterlogged in places on the back straight on Tuesday. Wednesday is due to be dry but 15mm is forecast on Thursday.

There are currently no reported problems at Sandown, Chepstow or Aintree for their weekend meetings.

Wednesday’s meeting at Haydock was cancelled due to frost but Ludlow staged the first British jumps action since Sunday after passing a 7.30am inspection.

Member of ground staff at Carlisle knocked over leaving track at the start

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A member of the ground staff at Carlisle avoided serious injury in a nasty incident at the start of the seventh race on Thursday.

The man jogged across in front of the tape, but was still in the process of leaving the track when the tapes went up and was immediately knocked over as the runners set off, sent tumbling across the ground as the field galloped on.

A report from the stewards read: “An inquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why a member of the ground staff had crossed the track at the start as the race was started resulting in his being knocked over by Euchan Falls.

“The clerk of the course, the member of ground staff, the starters and Gavin Sheehan, the rider of Euchan Falls, unplaced, were interviewed.

“Having heard their evidence and having reviewed video recording of the incident, the matter was forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”

A statement from Carlisle Racecourse read: “Following the start of today’s 5.05pm (race), a member of our team was attended to by the medical team at the start and received further assessment in the racecourse medical room. There are no indications he has any lasting injuries and he is in good spirits.”

On a dramatic afternoon of National Hunt action, jockey Daire Davis was banned for 21 days at Ludlow for improper riding.

Daire was leading on Faha Belle in the fifth race of the day, but in moving right-handed – and about to take the wrong course – he clipped heels with Von Hallers who unseated David Bass. Daire corrected his mount to take the correct course, but in doing so ran into a group of other runners with his mount falling having gone through the rail.

Daire himself crashed into the Tom Bellamy-ridden Kit’s Coty, leading to Bellamy unseating.

Annsam enters Sandown reckoning with Ludlow success

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Evan Williams will consider at tilt at the bet365 Gold Cup for Annsam following his comprehensive victory in the Boyne Cup at Ludlow.

The eight-year-old won the lucrative Silver Cup at Ascot last season and opened his account for the current campaign with a dominant front-running success at Kempton in January.

He could finish only seventh when well fancied for the Coral Trophy at the same venue the following month, but bounced back to winning ways in Ludlow’s £18,000 feature.

Having been ridden with a little more restraint than in his recent starts by Adam Wedge, Annsam followed Good Boy Bobby into the home straight before taking over jumping the third fence from home.

The 100-30 chance ran down the final obstacle, but negotiated it safely and was well on top as he passed the post with two and a quarter lengths in hand over The Wolf.

“It was a tricky, competitive race today, but he always shaped like a better horse than the result last time and I’m delighted he’s gone and won,” said Williams.

“He’s still a work in progress to some extent. He can still be a bit awkward and gawky at times.

“I thought it was very important to settle him in behind horses today. I don’t like one dimensional horses and it’s not really my style to be making the running with them.

“I just felt taking our time a bit more with him today will really help him going forwards.”

Trainer Evan Williams at Cheltenham
Trainer Evan Williams at Cheltenham (Simon Marper/PA)

The Welsh trainer will now target his charge at the final day of the season at Sandown on April 29, with the bet365 Gold Cup and the Grade Two Oaksey Chase considered feasible options.

“I’m going to be silly and put him in the two-mile-six race (Oaksey) and the bet365 over three-mile-five, but I think he’ll stay and I’d have no hesitation running him over that trip. It gives us options and he will be aimed at Sandown anyway.

“I know he only won by a couple of lengths today, but I thought he was by far the best horse in the race and he still look like there’s more in the tank.”

Trainer Alastair Ralph, conditional jockey Jay Tidball and owner-breeder Norma Harris enjoyed a memorable afternoon, teaming up to complete a double on the card.

Magical Maggie justified 5-4 favouritism in the JM Construction Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle before 10-1 shot Scherbobalob secured top honours in the Watch On RacingTV Handicap Hurdle.

Weather woes continue as frost claims Plumpton card

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Wednesday’s card at Plumpton has been cancelled due to a frozen track.

Clerk of the course Marcus Waters inspected the track at 8.30am and felt that conditions would not be raceable in time for the meeting to go ahead.

He said: “We got down to minus 2C and we were at that temperature for most of the night.

Newbury also cancelled their Wednesday fixture
Newbury also cancelled their Wednesday fixture (David Davies/PA)

“I thought the frost had got a bit worse from when I walked the track at 6am and with temperatures slow enough to rise today, we’re not sure we’ll be raceable later on today.

“It’s very disappointing but we thought it was fairer to everyone to make a decision rather than delay.”

With Newbury already called off, there will be no jumps racing in Britain for a second day. Wolverhampton’s all-weather card goes ahead after the track passed a second precautionary inspection following overnight snow.

Wincanton's Thursday card is subject to an inspection
Wincanton’s Thursday card is subject to an inspection (David Davies/PA)

Thursday’s National Hunt action hinges on an 8am inspection on raceday at Wincanton ahead of their Somerset National meeting, with Ludlow cancelled following an inspection on Wednesday morning.

Officials at Ludlow report the track to be frozen in places with further frost forecast.

Newcastle’s Thursday card was called off on Tuesday for similar reasons while Friday’s fixture at Market Rasen, which features the Listed Alan Swinbank mares’ bumper, is subject to a noon inspection on Thursday.

Fairyhouse is scheduled to race on Thursday
Fairyhouse is scheduled to race on Thursday (Niall Carson/PA)

Fairyhouse will have to pass a 3pm inspection on Wednesday if the scheduled meeting on Thursday is to go ahead.

Areas of the track are not fit for racing due to frozen ground, with temperatures not forecast to rise significantly.

Jamie Moore’s spirits high following Ludlow win for D’Aunou

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Jamie Moore feels Spirit D’Aunou is not the only horse who will benefit from junior hurdle races following his eight-length defeat of Javert Allen at Ludlow.

The four-year-old had landed the odds in a three-runner affair at Huntingdon on his second start and followed up in good style under a penalty to take the Ludlow Race Club Annual Membership Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

After unsaddling the Gary Moore-trained 10-11 favourite, the rider said: “He is improving with every run.

“I know people are knocking these races, but they are serving a purpose and he can run in novice hurdles next year without a penalty, which is quite handy, really.

“He will get a bit further, but he has speed in the pedigree, although he doesn’t run like he is a fast horse.

“I was off the bridle all the way but they do kick early and although it is a sharp track, you do have to stay. After three out we were in command.”

Egbert stayed on strongly to win
Egbert stayed on strongly to win (Simon Milham/PA)

Alan King appears to have a soft spot for the stock of Pether’s Moon, and the improving Egbert (6-4 favourite) underlined his thoughts when getting off the mark in the Luke Watson Memorial ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle.

Tom Cannon’s mount just had enough to hold on from the staying-on Impose Toi, and King said: “He’s a big horse. I have a few Pether’s Moons and they are the most laid back horses and they seem to improve with racing.

“He is long way from the finished article yet. The Newbury ground was far too quick last time and, ultimately, you’d hope he will go for a nice three-mile chase next year.

“He has done it well and will progress. These Pether’s Moons improve with racing. I like them.”

Fire Dancer defied a long absence for Venetia Williams
Fire Dancer defied a long absence for Venetia Williams (Simon Milham/PA)

Fire Dancer (9-4) had been off the track for over two years, but Venetia Williams’ horses are firing and the Charlie Deutsch-ridden, Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old kept finding more to hold on by a head from Striking Out in the Simply Delicious Cakes Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Williams quipped: “It was a nice riding performance. Charlie didn’t want to win too far. I was very pleased. It was a lovely round of jumping and there are no plans. We’ll get him home and see how he is.”

Williams was the name to note all afternoon, as Jane Williams saddled Romancero Le Dun (4-1) to success under David Noonan in the Vobe Electrics Juvenile Hurdle, denying Admiralty House and King a double on the card.

Just for good measure, Ian Williams got in on the act, with the Charlie Todd-ridden Tide Times (16-5) taking the Plyvine Caterers Handicap chase by half a length from Ree Okka.

Tide Times always goes well at Ludlow
Tide Times always goes well at Ludlow (Simon Milham/PA)

Williams said: “He loves it round here. He ran a great race last time, just getting beaten by a horse of Venetia’s who went off in front and hadn’t run for a long time, but as ever, Venetia’s horses are always very fit and didn’t stop, and he couldn’t get back to it. But he made up for it today.”

Hurricane Harvey (6-1) got the Fergal O’Brien team back on track after a quiet spell over the past couple of weeks, with Jack Hogan’s mount recording a three-quarters of a length success over Sirobbie in the three-mile Racing UK Handicap Hurdle.

In the concluding mares’ bumper there was a 40-1 shock provided by the Grace Harris-trained Inion Tiogair, who powered to a two-length success under Conor Ring.

It was the first run for the yard, having left Mag Mullins and been purchased at the Cheltenham sales.

Harris said: “She had been working really well at home and we gave her plenty of time after she was purchased. She was probably just a bit weak. We were hopeful, but I didn’t think she would do it as easily as she has done it today.

“She has filled out so much since October and I’m excited as to what the future holds.”