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'The horse gave me a lift' - moving win for owner days on from cancer all-clear

Pink Legend (Harry Bannister) wins the Listed mares' chase for owner Francis Mahon
Pink Legend (Harry Bannister) wins the Listed mares' chase for owner Francis MahonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Friday: Huntingdon

Just a few days after receiving the all clear from cancer, owner-breeder Francis Mahon was back racing and cheering home an emotional winner as Pink Legend landed the Listed feature at Huntingdon.

Racing, and more specifically the success of Pink Legend, had kept Mahon's spirits up in the last 36 months, and it was only on Monday his doctor informed him he had successfully come through his chemotherapy treatment.

Friday was just the second time he had been racing, and first since he joked "being let out" by wife Elaine, who had been caring for him, and it was the horse nicknamed 'The Legend' who delivered on Mahon's big day in the Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares' Chase.

Mahon missed Pink Legend's first black-type success at Cheltenham in April, but he enjoyed every moment of this Listed success. The 6-1 shot took command in the straight and kept on to see off hot favourite Vienna Court, continuing a fine run of form for trainer Venetia Williams.

Runners in the 2m 7.5f novices handicap chase jump the first fenceHuntingdon 28.1.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Coming over: runners take a fence in the 2m7½f novice handicap chase on Friday's cardCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mahon, who had driven four hours form his home in Formby, Merseyside, said: "I had good news on Monday. I had cancer and I've come through the chemotherapy, and I'm back on the racecourse now.

"The form of the horses kept me going right the way through as we have had some good winners with Venetia.

"It's been a long haul, but I'm here. If you are locked away for three years it isn't great. The wife Elaine has been great and she has looked after me. It's the first time she has let me out on my own. She only let me out as my two pals escorted me here.

"When I was really poorly, Pink Legend won at Bangor and that really gave me a lift as I was halfway through chemotherapy which doesn't make you feel very good. It just gave me that fillip to keep my head up."

Pink Legend is likely to be aimed at the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next, for which she was introduced at 33-1 with race sponsors Paddy Power.

Memorable moment

Ben Bromley enjoyed a landmark first winner in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the familiar owners to whom his father Anthony is long-serving racing manager.

The 7lb claimer guided Raffles Gitane to victory in the 2m½f novice handicap chase.


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James StevensWest Country correspondent

Published on 28 January 2022inReports

Last updated 10:01, 29 January 2022

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