Suzy Smith ready to celebrate as Flint helps her to first win in four months

Suzy Smith rejoiced as racing was back at Plumpton for the first time in more than five months, and she believed the return to the East Sussex course was the reason for the yard securing a first winner in 139 days when Strike The Flint landed the 2m4½f handicap hurdle under Harry Bannister.

Speaking after her four-and-a-half month wait for success had ended, the local trainer said of her winning mare: "She hasn't really been coping well with travelling long distances, but for us, where we are, it's not easy over the summer.

"Having Fontwell and now Plumpton back on, which are quite local to where we're based, has made a real difference. I think she's quite claustrophobic generally.

"Harry gave her a really good positive ride, as being out in front helps. That's how she won her bumper here."

Smith, who relocated from Lewes to her current base in Angmering last year, was looking forward to getting back for some celebrations, adding: "The team have worked really hard and I'm delighted for them. It's a nice start to the season proper and it's not too far to get back home, so I'm sure we'll be heading off somewhere."

Slates storms home

Bryony Frost was herself on a 100-day wait for a winner coming into this meeting, but it looked as if that barren run would end as she attempted to make all on the Paul Nicholls-trained Dogon in the 2m1f handicap chase.

Mitchell Bastyan: excellent double on the cardCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, having jumped the last in front, Frost was foiled up the run-in by the staying-on Away For Slates, trained by Milton Harris, who rallied under the urges of conditional jockey Mitchell Bastyan to score by a length and a half.

Bastyan went on to complete a double aboard the David Bridgwater-trained Pirate Sam with an emphatic nine-length success in the 2m3½f handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

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