'I couldn't ask for a better start' - Freddie Gingell boosts lead in conditional jockeys' title race

Freddie Gingell continued his charge for the conditional jockey's championship with success on West Orchard in the 2m3½f handicap chase.

On this day of the season last year, he enjoyed a breakthrough win in the Haldon Gold Cup on Elixir De Nutz and the partnership went on to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase in January.

This season his ambitions look fixed on a title bid and instead he headed elsewhere on the hunt for winners, which came in easy fashion on the improving seven-year-old.

"Joe's horses are in top form and I couldn't really ask for a much better start," the jockey said after his 14th win, putting him two clear. "West Orchard had some little issues last season but seems completely different now. He won really nicely. He got headed turning in but battled well and won quite easily.

"I'm happy with the start but it's a long season and long may it continue."

The rising star will enjoy a new milestone on Saturday when jumping the Grand National course for the first time, on Outlaw Peter for boss Paul Nicholls in the Grand Sefton.

He added: "I'm really looking forward to it. I've got a lovely ride who goes there fresh and hopefully goes well."

Rare winning tingle for Dingle 

Rex Dingle ended a 160-day wait for a winner on 2m1½f maiden hurdle scorer Electric Mason.

Dingle had failed to win on his previous 52 rides but was successful on the Chris Gordon-trained five-year-old, who reversed bumper form with the runner-up Laurens Bay.

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