Chapman beats the champ in thriller to ride out 7lb claim

Beating the champion jockey in a driving finish to ride out his 7lb claim before going on to complete a double in the next race. As days go, it wasn't a bad one for Ross Chapman.

Turning for home Richard Johnson looked the likely winner on the smooth-travelling Knockmaole Boy in the opening novice hurdle, but the 11-10 favourite was conceding 26lb to Golden Jeffrey – taking into account Chapman's claim – and that burden took its toll on the run-in.

The Iain Jardine-trained four-year-old, a dual bumper winner who scored on the Flat earlier this month, was providing Chapman with his twentieth winner, and the 21-year-old rider said: "The horse is having a good time of things and Mr Jardine knows how to get them right, and thanks go to the team at home for keeping the horses ticking away.