Southwell: Norman Fletcher escapes from rivals to land bumper for canny Twiston-Davies

Norman Fletcher, named after the character played by Ronnie Barker in TV prison comedy Porridge, got his career up and running with victory in the 2m bumper.

Owner-trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is a fan of the show – which ran on the BBC from 1974 to 1977 and is still repeated – in which Barker plays the role of long-term prisoner Norman Stanley Fletcher.

The 8-1 chance was ridden to victory by Twiston-Davies's son Sam, who said: “Dad has lately named a lot of his own stores after characters from Dad’s Army and Porridge in a bid to get those of a certain generation to get involved.

“A couple of years ago, he sold I Like To Move It to Jamie and Anne-Marie Shepperd as that was one of their granddaughter’s favourite songs. They're now one of our biggest owners. He’s some businessman.”

Leader by example

Strong Leader was cut to 25-1 (from 33) by Paddy Power for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after landing a hat-trick in the 2m novice hurdle.

It was one-way traffic in the market – Strong Leader being backed from 10-11 in the morning into 2-7 – and it was a similar story in the race, the Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old scoring by 15 lengths under Sean Bowen.

Murphy doubled up when 18-1 chance Clay Rogers took the closing 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

Skeltons double up  

Dan and Harry Skelton enjoyed a double which kicked off when Calico registered his first win over fences, making all in the 2m handicap chase.

The pair are leading trainer and jockey at the track and followed up when Richhill held off the challenge of stablemate Chilinlikeavillain in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle.

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