High-flying Twiston-Davies runner-up on maiden Stateside ride as Garner strikes

Sam Twiston-Davies narrowly missed out on making a successful US debut when finishing second in a Grade 1 in Saratoga on Thursday, and not even a horror journey to the airport was capable of taking the gloss off a "landmark" day for the jockey.

Twiston-Davies broke new ground as he experienced riding in the States for the first time when partnering old ally Vosne Romanee to finish runner-up behind Winston C in the Grade 1 AP Smithwick Memorial Steeplechase at Saratoga.

He said: "It was another landmark in my career to ride in America and something else I can tick off on the bucket list. I must admit I enjoyed every minute of it and it would be great to do something like it again at some stage.

"I have partnered Vosne Romanee many times in the past and I'm really happy for connections [Foxtrot NH Racing Partnership] that he ran so well on his first run since going to America. He's in the care of trainer Jack Fisher, but I think the plan is for him to return to Britain with Richard Newland later this year."

There was a distinctly British look to the outcome of the valuable contest with the first four places being filled by horses once trained on the other side of the Atlantic.

Winston C, formerly with Harry Fry and ridden by Tom Garner, led the way home from Vosne Romanee with the ex-Paul Nicholls Hinterland third and Gibralfaro, once trained by Alan King, filling fourth spot.

Explaining the difference between jumping on the domestic front and in the States, Twiston-Davies added: "The race was called a steeplechase but they actually jump mini fences or hurdles, in reality, and they also race very tight all the way round. It's important to be on the ball and make sure you are tracking the right horses at the right time.

"The ground was described as firm and that is basically what it was, however, there was a very good covering of grass that really helped and overall it was a fantastic experience."

There was no hanging around for Twiston-Davies, who was back on a flight to Britain on Thursday evening so he could ride at Uttoxeter on Friday, when he claimed a third place on Vancouver in a 2m handicap chase.

"The only slight negative of the trip was the drive back to JFK Airport in New York as it was pretty awful and took almost five hours," the rider said.

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