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Family favourite Tonto's Spirit lands poignant milestone for Dianne Sayer

200th NH winner for Cumbrian Trainer Diane Sayer as TONTO'S SPIRIT (Red ) ridden by Connor O'Farrell wins for the 5th time at Cartmel 31/5/21Photograph by Grossick Racing Photography 0771 046 1723
The familiar white face of Tonto's Spirit wins for the fifth time at CartmelCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Tonto’s Spirit picked up his fifth Cartmel win to mark a poignant milestone for trainer Dianne Sayer and her family.

Owned by father Arthur Slack, Tonto’s Spirit was originally trained by Sayer’s brother Kenneth Slack, who passed away two years ago.

The win marks 200 jump winners for Sayer, who brought the whole family along to celebrate the success.

Sayer said: "Tonto was one of Ken’s all-time favourite horses and now his daughter Anna does all the work with him.

"We never go to Cartmel without thinking about Ken and to have a winner with basically one of Ken’s horses is just great, it’s a very important place for us here.

"All my family are at the course, there are four generations here today. It’s a social day, and we’ve not had many of them recently."

Ridden by Conor O’Farrell, Tonto’s Spirit has notched up 13 wins in his career, and made a sentimental 200th winner for Sayer.

Sayer added: "To get that milestone at Cartmel and with Tonto, who is such a family favourite, makes it such a special day."

Morgan and Candlish doubles

The winner’s enclosure was dominated by female trainers on Monday as they sent out seven winners on the eight-race card.

Laura Morgan took the opener with back-to-back winner Gentle Jolie, before picking up a double alongside Adam Wedge with Fire Away in the 2m5f handicap chase.

Jennie Candlish picked up both divisions of the 2m6f handicap hurdles, scoring with Too Much To Ask before landing the next with the self-owned For Jim.

Polly Gundry won the 3m5½f veterans' handicap chase with Dawson City, while Sam England claimed the finale with Oksana.

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