Harris hails youngster's help as Aintree My Dream finally comes good

Milton Harris praised the assistance of nine-year-old Anderson Tieman after Aintree My Dream – a horse the youngster had schooled with this week – ended a near two-year drought in brave fashion at Wincanton on Saturday.

Tieman, who is also on the books of Swindon Town Football Club, had been busy at the Wiltshire base during the half-term break, helping out at the yard and getting a chance to sit on the experienced chaser, who is two years his senior.

Perhaps that experience made the difference in the race itself, with Aintree My Dream getting a deserved victory in the 2m4f handicap chase after four second-place finishes from his previous six starts as he battled on bravely to deny the hat-trick-seeking Flagrant Delitiep under another fine young talent in 3lb claimer Mitchell Bastyan.

Harris, on his third winner this month, said: "We've had a nine-year-old boy riding him this week in the school called Anderson Tieman, so he deserves a mention. He's the son of a local publican and he's been coming in on his school holidays, he's been helping muck out and swept a bit. We try and encourage the youngsters to come in the yard and have a nice time."

The trainer added: "I'm pleased for the horse and the owner. He's 11 and every time he runs well and the handicapper leaves him alone. He keeps hitting one, and Paddy [Brennan] got beat a few times on him and it's been driving him mad."

Treble joy for Hobbs and Nolan

Micheal Nolan and Philip Hobbs teamed up for a 469-1 treble on the day, with victories coming for novice hurdlers Longshanks and Pol Crocan before Golden Sovereign impressed in the 3m1f handicap chase.

Seven-year-old Golden Sovereign put in a smart round of jumping on his third try over fences, and finished off strongly to defeat 5-4 favourite Shantou Flyer.

That success followed on from wins in both divisions of the novice hurdle where 10-1 shot Longshanks denied odds-on favourite Pozo Emery in the first race before Pol Crocan relished the testing conditions to score under a 6lb penalty.

Micheal Nolan kicks off the card with a victory aboard Longshanks, the first of three winners on the card for the jockeyCredit: BillSELWYN

Nolan said: "I had a treble at Ffos Las in 2013, which was a while ago and it's great to get a day like this.

"My job most of the time is with my boss Philip Hobbs and I slot in behind Richard Johnson and Tom O'Brien, but today they're away at Ascot. That gives me the opportunity here and this is what can happen.

"Massive thanks to my boss and the lads at home who get them ready – I work hard and try hard and today is my day."

Perhaps his last winner, Golden Sovereign, could provide Nolan with more big days.

"He's a pleasure to ride," the jockey added. "He's a Welsh National type and, if he went up enough in the handicap at some stage, you could always think about the Aintree fences as he jumps very well."

Elsewhere on the card, Lucy Gardner rode her first winner since December aboard 40-1 shot Lightonthewing in the concluding handicap hurdle, while Dentley De Mee completed an across-the-card double for Nick Williams in the class 4 handicap chase after the success of Galahad Quest for the trainer at Haydock.

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