Double gives Kennedy 50 winners for the season for the first time

Jockey Will Kennedy clocked up 50 winners for a season for the first time in his 15-year career when riding Raise A Spark to victory in the 1m7½f handicap hurdle. It was his second winner of the afternoon for he also partnered Same Circus, who is also trained by Donald McCain, to win the 3m11/2f mares' novice hurdle.

Kennedy reached 47 last season, but his tie up with McCain has been the crucial factor to him having his best-ever season and the trainer said: "He works very hard and he deserves it, I hadn't realised he hadn't quite made it before. He nearly always has the horses in the right place, and is popular with the owners so I am delighted with the way things have gone."

Raise A Spark, who got home by a length from the favourite Beeno in the colours of owner-breeder Ray Pattison, was winning his second race of the current campaign and his trainer said: "He has been running well all season despite creeping up the weights. He will go over fences at some stage."