Bradley Harris evades late drama to secure biggest win of his career

Monday: Newton Abbot

Bradley Harris kept a cool head as he evaded in-running drama to land the biggest win of his career in the feature 3m2½f handicap hurdle on Mr Yeats.

It looked as though the finish would be fought out between 7-4 favourite Valentino and the strong-travelling Umbrigado approaching the second-last flight. However, the Jackie du Plessis-trained market leader veered out to his left and unseated Harry Kimber, while Umbrigado jumped right.

Kimber walked away unscathed and later reported to the stewards that his saddle had slipped. Harris took the lead approaching the last and, despite the close proximity of the loose Valentino, cleared the final hurdle to record victory on the Milton Harris-trained five-year-old.

What happened at the second-last?

Valentino (centre) approaches the second-last hurdle in frontCredit: Sky Sports Racing

7-4 favourite Valentino veers to to his left with Harry Kimber trying to cling on while Mr Yeats (right) closes inCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Valentino parts ways with Harry Kimber as Umbrigado (yelllow cap) jumps out to his rightCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Mr Yeats takes the lead with the loose Valentino for companyCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Mr Yeats approaches the last but the riderless Valentino does not make things easyCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Mr Yeats safely negotiates the last and pulls clearCredit: Sky Sports Racing

Harris, no relation to the winning trainer, told Sky Sports Racing: "I was half worried he [Valentino] was going to come across me at the last so I was thinking I've got to keep going.

"Normally you'd ride him a bit more positively but in this company I thought I'd ride him to get home and hopefully nick a place. He's beaten them well there. I'd never ridden in a Class 2 before so to win one is amazing."

Of Mr Yeats, who has now finished in the first four on his last 13 starts, the jockey added: "He’s only small but he has some heart on him, every time he runs he gives his best and he deserved a race like that.”

Hosie swoop

Owner-trainer Syd Hosie bought Percy’s Word for £16,000 in the post-race auction after the 129-rated hurdler ran out a 20-length winner of the seller for Dan Skelton, whose brother Harry was riding.

Hosie was denied a winner of his own when his 6-4 favourite Coal Stock chased home the Harry Cobden-ridden Huelgoat in the 2m5f novice handicap chase.

Huelgoat’s winning chase debut completed a double for Paul Nicholls and the Owners Group, with Gaulois recording his third win of the season at the track under Tom Buckley in the 2m2½f novice hurdle.

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