'Everyone will be chuffed to bits' - brilliant Ballyandy quells retirement talk

Wednesday: Fakenham

Grade 1 winner Ballyandy rolled back the years for a hugely popular success in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle to end a losing streak that dated back more than two years.

The 2016 Champion Bumper hero, who also landed the Betfair Hurdle a year later during an illustrious career, had not won since landing a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock in January 2020.

However, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained 11-year-old showed all of his old exuberance and zest with a devastating turn of foot off the bend to dismiss his rivals by 18 lengths.

"Obviously it's lovely, he's been such a lovely horse for the yard," said his delighted trainer. "It's great to see that we did right to keep on with him and not retire him.

"He was showing a lot of spark and we hoped that would happen. Everybody at the yard will be chuffed to bits."

Murphy's grand plan

Swinging London made a winning start for his new trainer Olly Murphy in the 2m maiden hurdle, potentially earning himself a trip to the Cheltenham Festival in the process.

Making it third-time lucky over the smaller obstacles, Swinging London could be aimed towards the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, with potential plans for a venture to the US also mentioned after his comfortable victory.

50 up for Newland

Thirtyfourstitches and Cillin Leonard provided trainer Richard Newland with his 50th winner of the season in the opening 2m4f novice handicap hurdle, and trainer and jockey were able to double up thanks to Rostello's comfortable success in the 2m½f handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

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Brian Hughes breaks 150 winners for the first time after fantastic four-timer

David Bass celebrates 500th winner in Britain aboard Le Cameleon

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