'That's racing, isn't it?' - Gibraltarian defies misfortunes to land first win

Bad luck denied Gibraltarian earlier this month and almost struck again on Monday, but the gutsy mare held on to land a deserved first win for trainer John Flint.

A saddle mishap when leading two out denied the five-year-old on her last run, almost unseating jockey Charlie Price, who finished the race without stirrups.

Gibraltarian and Price could only salvage third that afternoon at 66-1, but the pair returned to Newton Abbot to right wrongs and claim the mare's first win in 15 starts.

Flint said: "We felt a little bit sorry about the race last time, but that's racing, isn't it? Sometimes that happens. She's only a novice, and jinked at the second last and the saddle went.

"In fairness today, nearly everything seemed to go right, and she deserved it."

The mare was almost a victim of fate once more when hampered by Thebudinpundit, who fell three out in front of Gibraltarian.

"I was a little bit concerned when that horse fell in front of us and we had to go over the top of it," Flint added. "It would have been an injustice for the mare if she didn't win, it would have been so disappointing. She lost momentum at such a crucial time in the race, but she dug deep and ran to the line for us."

Unstoppable duo

Ben Bromley and 6-4 favourite Chez Hans continued their unstoppable run of form to land their fourth straight win as part of a double for Paul Nicholls.

Bromley remains unbeaten on the promising five-year-old, who posted another confident performance to win the 2m2½f handicap hurdle by two-and-a-half lengths.

Nicholls had a second winner on the day when Stanley Stanley won the 2m5½f handicap hurdle under Harry Cobden.

Results, replays and analysis

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