Bloodied Lastbutnotleast bounces back to land knockout blow

Lastbutnotleast looked like a scene from a horror movie after her last start and although the viewing was not much prettier in a gruelling running of the 2m3f novice chase, trainer Donald McCain was pleased to get the talented mare back on track.

Named because she was the last horse McCain's legendary late father Ginger ever bought, Lastbutnotleast – owned by the trainer's mother Beryl in partnership with Sarah Leslie – was pulled up mid-race on her chasing debut at Carlisle this month, after which she was found to have burst a blood vessel.

"There was that much blood coming from her nose, she looked like she had been hit by a shovel," said McCain.