Epatante half-brother seals first victory for McManus on handicap hurdle debut

A half-brother to Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante sealed a first success in the gloom at Uttoxeter as Fanfaron Dino landed the concluding 2m novice handicap hurdle.

The JP McManus-owned grey, trained by Anthony Honeyball, finished an encouraging fourth at Chepstow on his return and made light work of a mark of 87 to score by three and a quarter lengths under Richie McLernon.

McLernon, who rides Regal Encore and Kid Commando for Honeyball at Ascot on Saturday, said: "He travelled like the winner in his bumper but didn't find much, so I wasn't too sure what he'd find after the last today. He's a bit quirky but it's good to get his head in front."

McLernon had to settle for second in the feature 2m4f handicap chase on Destin D’Ajonc behind the Alan Jones-trained Duhallow Lad, who is declared to run at Fakenham on Sunday.

Gamble landed

The John Groucott-trained Richardson justified a notable market move when landing the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Lee Edwards’ mount, owned by Gordon Kendrick, was backed into 10-1 (from 33) and found plenty after the last to gain a first success by three and three-quarter lengths.

Harp heroics

Mr Harp confirmed the promise of his bumper and novice hurdle runs to provide trainer Thomas Gallagher with a first jumps winner since February last year in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle under Jack Quinlan.

The Bryan Carver-ridden Shanty Alley, trained by Ben Case, was the widest-margin winner on the seven-race card, running away with the 3m novice handicap chase by 26 lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

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