Hackbridge ends three-year wait for Pat Phelan as Niall Houlihan records treble

Dual-purpose trainer Pat Phelan enjoyed his first winner over jumps since 2018 when Hackbridge landed the 2m novice handicap hurdle.

Phelan, who recorded 11 winners on the Flat this year, claimed a long-awaited success as the six-year-old won by a neck from odds-on favourite Sergeant under the trainer's nephew Niall Houlihan.

The trainer said: "He got a super ride from Niall, who has had plenty of placed horses with me but I couldn't get him a winner for years. We got the win in the end and that's all that matters."

Hackbridge won for the first time since switching back to jumps this year, winning for Phelan's ally and local pub owner Peter Wheatley.

"My boss Tony Smith owned Hackbridge and gave him to Peter as he wasn't well and wanted the horse to have a chance to race," Phelan said. "Peter has taken him on and been with me for a long time.

"I've had good times here. Plumpton is unique. It's not the track, it's the people, the place, the atmosphere – it's a way of life down here."

Up The Straight: a third winner in a row for Niall HoulihanCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Success on Hackbridge kickstarted a memorable day for Houlihan, who won the following feature 2m3½f novice chase with Up The Straight before completing a treble in the next on Royaume Uni.

Joshua Moore was due to ride Royaume Uni but fell on Botox Has in the feature, forcing him to miss his remaining ride. The jockey was taken to hospital for further checks after being treated on course.

Results, replays and analysis

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