Glimpse Of Gala toughs it out to give Bradley Roberts first jumps winner

Thursday: Ludlow

Glimpse Of Gala toughed it out to land the 3m mares' handicap hurdle and provide amateur rider Bradley Roberts with his first winner over jumps.

The six-year-old, who was third on her most recent start at the track, justified 11-8 favouritism when finishing seven and a half lengths clear of Could Be Trouble.

"She's a tough little mare," said trainer Charlie Longsdon.

"She's only small but she always puts her heart and soul into her races. The ground was a touch soft for her but I'm delighted for her owner-breeders Christopher and Fran Marriott, who are also my landlords."

Roberts rode five winners on the Flat, including last season at York aboard Lola Showgirl, who went on to win the Kensington Palace Stakes.

"I'm delighted to get that winner under my belt," Roberts told Racing TV.

"I've been working for Charlie for a few months and this was my first competitive ride for him. I rode on the Flat but it was always my intention to go over jumps – I knew it was what I wanted to do."

George strikes gold

Java Point denied Head To The Stars his hat-trick in the Forbra Gold Cup when striking for Jonathan Burke and trainer Tom George.

The 6-4 favourite, who was third behind Imperial Alcazar at Cheltenham in January, came under pressure after the fifth-last but rallied well to win by two and three-quarter lengths from the two-time winner of the feature 3m handicap chase.

Burke and George secured a quickfire double when Come On Gruff overturned odds-on favourite Picanha in the 2m5f novice handicap hurdle.

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday