'It was perfect' - Loch Garman Aris ends long losing streak for local team

The last piece of the jigsaw to end Loch Garman Aris's long losing streak fell perfectly into place as he ended over a five-and-a-half-year drought with a taking success in the 3m handicap chase.

The 11-year-old was without a victory since landing a bumper at the Welsh track in October 2015 and suffered serious health issues afterwards, but he roared back to his best with a five-and-a-half-length success under Sean Bowen.

Winning trainer Gary Hanmer said: "It means a lot, we're all relieved. When we first went novice chasing, he was consistently hitting the post and his jumping was getting safer. We x-rayed his back and it was a mess, he had kissing spines.

"His first operation didn't work so he had surgery again and missed the best part of over two years. We had the strongest jockey on board today and everything fell into place, it was perfect."

Victory was particularly sweet for Cheshire-based Hanmer and owners The Brookes Family, who will aim Loch Garman Aris at the track's next fixture on May 25.

Hanmer added: "The owners are local too, so it's lovely to win again here. Hopefully we can go forward with him and repeat the trick."

Perfect prelude

Archie Watson will saddle Mehmento in Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, but the trainer had time to notch his first winner of the new jumps season after Juge Et Parti landed the 3m novice handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

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