Andy Irvine ends 220-day barren spell as Dream Du Grand Val lands gamble

Thursday: Lingfield

"I didn't have a penny on him," exclaimed trainer Andy Irvine after Dream Du Grand Val landed a gamble in the 2m3½f claiming hurdle.

The 4-1 winner had been as big as 12-1 earlier in the day. His market support came as a surprise to his trainer as the eight-year-old had been reluctant to race on numerous occasions, frequently having to be walked to the start by a handler.

"I thought he might not start, he's a bit of a monkey," said Irvine.

"I was watching the price tumbling down and I didn't have a penny on him. Well done to whoever backed him, but it wasn't me. James [Bowen] gave him a superb ride and thankfully he didn't get claimed."

The East Sussex-based trainer was ending a 220-day drought without a winner and added: "It feels like a long time between drinks, but now we're moving forward and can hopefully start banging in the winners."

1,000th jumps winner for Moore

Gary Moore achieved a landmark 1,000th jumps winner in Britain after Movethechains completed a course-and-distance hat-trick in the 2m7½f handicap chase.

The seven-year-old has been in sparkling form since joining the West Sussex trainer, winning three of his four starts.

Gary Moore: celebrated his 1,000th jumps winnerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Son Jamie Moore was in the saddle for the milestone and told Sky Sports Racing: "It's a good achievement, it's over that with the Flat horses combined – he can train five-furlong sprinters up to three-mile chasers.

"He's in the yard every day, mucking out and grooming the horses, he knows them inside out."

A return to the Surrey track could be on the cards for Movethechains at the inaugural Winter Million Festival, where he could step up in trip to tackle the Surrey National.

Results, replays and analysis

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