'He's just a very nice horse' - L'Astroboy gives Evan Williams a bumper boost

Tuesday: Ffos Las

It was hardly surprising the Evan Williams-trained L'Astroboy was sent off at 25-1 for his debut given that Williams was without a winner in 17 bumpers this season.

However, the five-year-old stormed home late on under Adam Wedge to score in the colours of Williams' long-time supporters Mr and Mrs Rucker.

It was a relief to the Vale Of Glamorgan trainer that a £36,000 purchase as a three-year-old had finally paid off after a frustrating period in that sphere. "I buy field-loads of three-year-olds," Williams told Sky Sports Racing.

"The store job, you've got to kiss a lot of toads to find a prince and I've kissed a lot of toads the past 18 months, I can tell you.

"He's got a good German Flat pedigree which might explain why he quickened. He had a little setback in the autumn and Mrs Rucker has done a great job. She sent him back to us and we thought we'd never get him going, but it's funny how it works out. He's just a very nice horse."

Two for Tudor

On the day that racegoers returned to the Welsh track for the first time this year after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted last week, jockey Jack Tudor also returned to the winner's enclosure in style, ending a month-long wait with a quickfire double.

The Sam Drinkwater-trained Fontana Ellissi flew up the run-in to end Tudor's drought before the Welsh-based jockey took the next race aboard Powerful Position for Christian Williams to secure his first winners since New Year's Day in style.

Tidball taking aim

Jay Tidball rode his first ever winner over fences aboard Billingsley in the feature 2m handicap chase for his boss Alastair Ralph.

The ten-year-old, who was 26lb below his last winning mark, was the 10lb claimer's fourth career success.

Results, replays and analysis

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