From hospital bed to winner's enclosure: Well Educated boost for George Bewley

Thursday: Carlisle

Local trainer George Bewley was back on a racecourse after leaving hospital the night before and he received a boost when Well Educated brought up his hat-trick.

Bewley, who trains from the family's Jerusalem Farm, near Appleby, might have gone against doctor's orders but he was delighted to welcome back the shrewdly bought six-year-old after the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

Ridden by son and assistant Jonathon Bewley, Well Educated has proved a revelation since being bought out of a Hexham seller in April, winning four of his six starts for his new yard.

"He's a grand horse who has not put a foot wrong and does everything you want," said the winning trainer.

"He's bred to be a good horse and I bought him out of a seller at Hexham for fifteen grand. They said he couldn't handle soft ground but he's handled that all right. He's a happy horse who loves it."

Bewley has his team in excellent form as Well Educated's latest win was the trainer's fifth from ten runners since the start of September.

Ryan Mania was a significant late jockey change on fast-finishing runner-up Benson after being passed fit to return from injury.

Mania missed a month with a broken right foot, having been stood on by a horse at home.

"It's just one of those things," he said. "The foot has healed all right and I've been itching to get back. I just got passed yesterday and I'm raring to go."

Grand Sefton mover

Cooper's Cross was cut for next month's Grand Sefton after a dominant success in the 2m4f handicap chase.

The Stuart Coltherd-trained seven-year-old was shortened to 14-1 (from 33) with sponsors BoyleSports for the Aintree race over the National fences on November 5.

Coltherd said: "I thought he'd run a big race. I was a bit worried about the easing ground, but he seemed to handle it. He's in the Sefton and the plan is to go there. It should put him spot-on for Aintree and he's always been a natural jumper."

300 for Hughes and McCain

Champion jockey Brian Hughes rode his 300th winner for Donald McCain on Maximilian in the 2m4f novice hurdle.

Maximilian clears a flight under Brian HughesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

A winner of his sole point, Maximilian is now three from three under rules with all his victories coming at Carlisle after he won two bumpers in the spring.

With the powerful backing of McCain, Hughes notched a double century en route to his second title last season and he is now on 90 winners for this campaign.

Scottish overcomes scare

So Scottish made hard work of justifying his 8-15 odds for Irish trainer Emmet Mullins in the 2m4f novice chase.

The Paul Byrne-owned five-year-old was the Grand National-winning trainer's second runner at the track and asserted only on the run-in under Richie McLernon to overhaul chase debutant Grand Voyage.

McLernon said: "Early in the race he was travelling very well, but he missed the third-last and I wasn't sure I was going to get the second horse. I was lucky to get there."

Results, replays and analysis

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