At last: longshot Asylo gives Julia Brooke her first winner of the season

After a long winless winter opportunity finally knocked for Middleham-based trainer Julia Brooke, the mother of jump jockey Henry, for with just two days to go she sent out her first winner of the season when Asylo landed the 2m novice hurdle.

It was an unexpected one as well, though a bumper winner for Dan Skelton back in December 2016, he had not achieved a great deal since and had been well beaten on his first run over hurdles.

Owned by Andrew Brooks and having his first run for his current yard, Asylo was brought from off the pace by John Kington who drove him out to beat the hurdling debutant Imperial Nemesis by two and three-quarter lengths.