French import Tissier hits the target on his second ever British ride

French claimer Maxime Tissier looks set for a very 'Joyeux Noel' after scoring on just his second ride in Britain when Banjo Girl landed a gamble in the opener.

The 27-year-old has had to wait nearly 18 months to get his career on the British side of the English Channel under way and struck at the second time of asking for boss Lucy Wadham on the 2-1 shot, who was backed in from a morning 7-2.

Tissier had more than 100 rides in his native France, which yielded 14 winners, and he looked a cut above your average 7lb claimer when making all on the strapping winner to see off the Richard Johnson-ridden Dory.