Hangovers, tears and a hell of a buzz - unbelievable Saturday has Gordon family targeting Grade 1 breakthrough

Chris Gordon may have been feeling awful on Sunday morning but it was all self-inflicted after celebrating long into the night following the biggest day of his training career.

Winchester-based Gordon took Haydock's Premier meeting on Saturday by storm, rattling off a 462-1 treble that included Grade 2 success with Diamond Hunter, victory for Electric Mason in the £100,000 Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle and a third straight win over fences for the progressive David's Well.

All three were partnered by the trainer's son Freddie and the pair are hoping one of Saturday's winners can provide them with a first win at the highest level before the end of the year. 

"I feel awful right now, my head is swollen and I've got my liver sitting next to me," said Gordon on Sunday. "But a day like Saturday is such a buzz and it makes such a difference when your boy is on top.

"That was definitely the sweetest part and Freddie has come a hell of a long way. He's 6ft 1in but looks so neat on a horse, and his strike-rate this season has been great.

"The Grade 2 winner is owned by Dan Dennis, who is one of my oldest mates who rode with me in point-to-points for years, which was very special too. The only regret was that my wife Jenny wasn't there. She was watching from home and sitting on the sofa crying."

Gordon has been training for 18 years but has never had a team stocked with the sort of talent he possesses now, and he was not without confidence going to Haydock. 

"I'd thought for a couple of weeks that Electric Mason was a massive price going into his race, considering he had an 8lb turnaround with the favourite Ma Shantou for a two-and-three-quarter-length defeat at Cheltenham last month," said Gordon. 

"Diamond Hunter is six and more battle hardened than a lot of novices, so I said to Dan let's go and throw our hat in the ring and what a nice novice to have. 

"We've got 55 horses in and I can't believe it myself when I walk out into the yard and see the really nice horses we have around the place. Luckily, we've been buying well and it's got to be the best team we've had. It's a great time at this precise moment. We've got fabulous staff and all I want is decent people who let me get on with my job."

Electric Mason and Freddie Gordon return following their victory in the £100,000 Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Newton Novices' Hurdle winner Diamond Hunter will bid to take the stable to an even higher level on December 26, when he bids for Grade 1 glory in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. 

"We're keen to go to Aintree on Boxing Day," said Gordon. "Timing-wise it fits really well, and natural progression will hopefully take him there. It's stupid to aim at the stars sometimes because you want your horses to stay in the right company and gently improve with it, but I do think he's justified in having a crack at a Grade 1.

"I'm not going to think about it too much, but of course it's exciting, especially when it's one of your best mates who owns him."

Read more here

The Jukebox Man makes emphatic seasonal bow as Chris Gordon enjoys 462-1 treble on 'best ever' day 

'He's turning into a really nice staying chaser' - Jango Baie cut to 4-1 for King George as Arkle winner slams rivals in 1965 Chase 

Champion Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth streaks clear of three rivals for bloodless victory in Morgiana Hurdle 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.