By 'Eck! Liberty Bella causes 25-1 upset for evergreen trainer

On a day when the big guns came to town for the £100,000 Tanners Wine Christmas meeting, former dairy farmer Brian Eckley was able to toast a welcome victory for his small-scale set up.

Liberty Bella's win at 25-1 in the mares' novice hurdle was achieved in one of the less valuable races but none deserved the prize-money more than Eckley who bred, owns, trains and even rides out the filly despite having reached retirement age.

"I do all the work with her and we have a bond as she was very difficult to start with," said the 65-year-old, who has held a permit since 1979.