'It was like jumping weather' - Brendan Powell lands wet Jump Jockeys Derby

Thursday: Epsom

The constant rain and heavy ground were more akin to an afternoon of winter jump racing, and it was Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Brendan Powell who conquered conditions to land the Jump Jockeys Derby aboard Bad Company.

Powell, who rode on the Flat as a 7lb claimer, grabbed the rail in the straight on the Jim Boyle-trained five-year-old before kicking for home to score by a length and quarter from the Daryl Jacob-ridden Napper Tandy.

"It's nice to find a winner at Epsom," said Powell. "I had a few rides here when I was bit lighter and I actually rode here on Derby day about eight or nine years ago.

"It was like jumping weather out there with a nice bit of soft ground. He liked the ground and once I asked him I had a very willing partner. This is a good day out for us jumps lads – it's something different and it's nice to bag a winner."

Powell achieved a career-best tally of 65 winners over jumps last season and hopes the horses coming through at Joe Tizzard's yard can help him continue what has been a good summer.

"If it's anything like last season I'll be delighted," said Powell. "It's great to be involved in a big yard like the Tizzards. We've got the older established horses, but there are some nice younger ones coming through too. It's been a real good start and hopefully we can carry on."

Bad Company's win completed a double for Boyle at his local track after Hodler had earlier landed the 7f handicap under Ryan Sexton.

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