'It’s hugely exciting' - Sandy Thomson thrilled as Bass Rock wins on chase debut

Sunday: Carlisle

Trainer Sandy Thomson believes he has an exciting chaser to work with after Bass Rock won the 2m novice chase.

The six-year-old made it back-to-back wins under Ryan Mania in beating Llandinabo Lad by eight lengths, bringing his tally to four victories.

It was quite a statement from Bass Rock, who was making his chasing debut and beat six rivals who included last year's Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory, who started favourite but was pulled up.

Thomson said: "We’ve always known he’d be a lovely horse and that fences would be the making of him, but we never thought he’d win like that.

"He’s always been a very good jumper and it was ideal that the leader [Llandinabo Lad] set it up for him. What can you say, everyone saw it and it’s hugely exciting."

Thomson explained that patience was required before Bass Rock could be switched to fences.

He said: "It was always the plan to go chasing, that was never in doubt, but it was all about timing as it wasn’t going to be last season.

"We were delighted with him last season. In the big hurdle at Haydock, he didn’t get three miles, but he has enough pace to win over two miles, as he showed here."

The day got even better for Thomson and Mania as the pair completed a 64-1 double when Storm Nelson won the 3m1f handicap hurdle.

Zambella: on the way to landing the Listed race at CarlisleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Double Daryl

Daryl Jacob also celebrated two winners, headlined by the consistent Zambella, who landed the Listed 2m4f mares' chase.

Half an hour earlier Knockanore had been a shock 20-1 winner of the 2m3½f novice hurdle, the first half of the rider's quickfire 62-1 double.

Results, replays and analysis

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