Former champion Skelton stars on Notnowlinda for thrilled owner

Thursday: Warwick

Harry Skelton may face an uphill battle to be crowned champion jockey again but showed why he landed the championship two years ago when winning the mares' maiden hurdle aboard Notnowlinda.

The jockey displayed all his strength and skill to guide the five-year-old to a half-length success over Maridadi for his brother Dan.

"You've got to start the season with a big flourish if you want to consider being champion or you've got to turn up in February with a chance," said Dan Skelton.

"Harry doesn't think he'll be champion jockey, but if you got into mid-February and it was on in a few years then we'd give it a good shot.

"He's done it and been champion, which you can't take away from him and one day he might set out to do it again but we haven't set out to do it this year."

Skelton trains Notnowlinda for Michael Ariss, who added: "He's had horses with us in partnerships, but bought three on his own last year and he's got another really nice mare called Galia Des Liteaux, this mare and Get Up Mush – he's got a tidy team."

Sir rules

Sean Bowen was reminiscing about childhood trips to Folly Farm near Tenby when he arrived at the track, but he was soon fully focused on the day job and landed the 2m novice hurdle on Sir Tivo.

He is trained by Gary Hanmer for Angela Ashley and her mother Jane, who said: "We've owned him for three years and he's done well. We used to have point-to-pointers and then progressed to rules. We've got another runner so I could be like a female JP McManus!"

Sean Bowen: rider was on the markCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hanmer, who is based in Cheshire, said: "I have 39 horses in training, which is a healthy amount and there are another 11 waiting to come in, so I need to put up some more boxes. Filling them isn't a problem, but getting staff to look after them is."

Lenihan strikes

Kai Lenihan rode his first winner for Kim Bailey on Gerard Mentor in the 2m handicap hurdle and the trainer was full of praise for his new employee.

"Kai works for me now," he said. "Mick Fitzgerald recommended him and said he was a hard worker and if people work hard I'll give them a chance. That's a really difficult horse to ride. You've got to sit and sit – you can't move on him.

"Him riding a winner makes it easier for me to suggest him to other owners and how do they get going if no-one gives them a chance?"

Results, replays and analysis

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