Gentle Jolie gives Laura Morgan a jump start on the back of her best season

Gentle Jolie was a welcome first win of the new season for Laura Morgan in the 2m mares' novice hurdle, following her most successful season as a trainer.

The five-year-old won on her first run over fences, narrowly beating out odds-on favourite Milan’s Edge.

Morgan said: “We had 25 winners last season from 30 horses, so it was great to get number one on the board. I already feel a bit of pressure coming into this season now as we had such a good one last time.

“We have some fantastic owners and staff so going forward I don’t see why we wouldn’t have another great season.”

On Gentle Jolie, Morgan added: “She took to the hurdles very nicely and I knew Milan’s Edge was beatable. My mare’s done it well and I think she’ll be exciting for the future, she’s going to be a nice staying chaser.”

The win was the first of the season for all connections of the 11-2 shot, including jockey Thomas Dawson and owner Alan Rogers.

Nicholls' perfect record

Paul Nicholls has only made the trip four times from Manor Farm to Hexham, but the long journey has yielded a winner every time.

Grange Road scooping up the 2m7½f maiden hurdle continued the trainer's 100 per cent strike-rate at the course, with Daryl Jacob pulling away after the last on the 2-1 shot.

The win gave the promising six-year-old a debut success under rules after making the move to Nicholls following three runs in Irish point-to-points.

Results, replays and analysis

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