The opening 2m4f handicap hurdle for military amateur jockeys had a familiar feel to it, with Lance Bombardier, Jody Sole and Paul Nicholls combining well with Paddy De Pole.
Under Sole, who won the race for Nicholls on Southfield Torr in 2019 and on Fame And Fun last year, the six-year-old justified even-money favouritism.
“It’s really nice to be part of the team, I’ve ridden for Paul for a long time now and long may it continue,” Sole told Racing TV. “It’s a brilliant thing for people to realise that the services still offer equestrianism as part and parcel of being a soldier. It’s the last one of the season, so it’s great to have ten riders out there.”
A week prior, at Plumpton, Freddie Gingell had guided Paddy De Pole to his first victory under rules; now, 18 years old and conditional, he needs just one more winner to ride out his 5lb claim, having assisted Nicholls in completing a double.
In the 2m5½f handicap hurdle, Gingell defeated her stablemate and 13-8 favourite Irish Hill with a 16-1 shot Sabrina.
Harry Cobden, a rider for Irish Hill, was further frustrated when he finished second on Beny Nahar Road, the 6-4 favourite, in the first division of the 1m7f maiden hurdle, which Mirabad won. In the bumper, Jackpot Des Bordes, who was ridden by Cobden, finished second behind Celtic Dino, preventing Nicholls from winning a treble.