Dylan Cunha enjoys first jumps winner to kickstart 203-1 cross-code and continent double

Group 2-winning Flat trainer Dylan Cunha enjoyed his first winner over jumps in Britain when Mahons Glory made a successful stable debut in the feature 2m6½f novice handicap chase, kickstarting a unique Leicester and Meydan double.

Mahons Glory finished seventh over hurdles at Kempton on Boxing Day on his final start for Patrick Neville before joining Cunha’s Newmarket yard.

The 16-1 rank outsider of six runners was South African-born Cunha’s second runner in this sphere, and the nine-year-old got off the mark over fences at the fourth attempt under Lee Edwards.

Cunha, whose sole previous jumps runner had beaten only one rival home over hurdles at Kempton in November 2023, said: “It’s been brilliant. The owners, Hold My Beer, have quite a few Flat horses with me. You wouldn't say he was sour, but he needed a change of scenery, so we said we’d give it a go.

“The boys had faith in him. Lee schooled him a few weeks ago and was very confident that he’d run well.”

Cunha was cautiously optimistic about his other runner on the day, Silver Sword, in a Meydan handicap. “We’ve got a runner in Dubai in two hours' time,” said Cunha. “That’ll be an interesting double. I can’t get ahead of myself, we’ll see.”

The Ray Dawson-ridden Silver Sword later completed a 203-1 cross-code and continent double for Cunha.

Party for Johnson syndicate

Four-time champion jump jockey Richard Johnson was at the track to watch his syndicate’s Party Vibes land the 2m4f mares’ handicap chase.

The Henry Daly-trained seven-year-old was third over 2m here last month and relished the step up in trip to score by almost two lengths under David Bass.

Richard Johnson: Party Vibes won for the former champion jockey's syndicateCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

“It’s lovely to be competitive and I think I get more nervous watching than I did when I was riding,” said Johnson. “We’ve been very lucky with the horses we’ve got. They’ve given us and the owners a lot of fun. It’s nice to be able to get people together and enjoy racing.”

Johnson is targeting next month’s Grand National meeting with Imperial Saint, who provided the syndicate with their first winner in November 2023.

“Hopefully he’ll go to Aintree,” said Johnson. “He loves it around there. To have a runner at one of the festivals is what it's all about.”

Maxwell warms up in style

David Maxwell made it three wins in the last seven runnings of the 2m hunter chase when helping the Harry Derham-trained Joker De Mai justify odds-on favouritism. 

Maxwell will be in action at next week’s Cheltenham Festival when he partners the Gary and Josh Moore-trained El Cairos in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

The owner-rider said: “I didn’t really want him to run but Josh Moore rang me yesterday, told me Jamie had done a bit of work with him around Lingfield and said, ‘David, you have to run this horse.'"

Dunworley delivers

Nick Kent trained his first winner since September when Dunworley recorded his first win over fences in style by 28 lengths in the 2m6½f handicap chase under Kielan Woods.

Owner Wendy Wesley’s husband Colin said “Nick’s had 12 seconds this season and they’ve been banging on the door.”

Joyous Johns

Alan Johns struck on his sole ride at the track in the 2022-23 season and was successful on his first visit since then on the Tim Vaughan-trained Bumpy Evans in the 2m4f handicap chase.

Williams winner

Sam Twiston-Davies rode his first winner for trainer Christian Williams on You Say Nothing in the 2m handicap chase.

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