'It's been a bit of a rocky road' - jockey notches first winner for over a year

Saturday: Wetherby

Teaming back up with an old friend helped Patrick Cowley end "a bit of a rocky road" with his first winner for more than a year.

Success on the Laura Morgan-trained in the 1m7f novice handicap chase ended a drought stretching back to October 2021, and the jockey had also served a 42-day "non-trier" ban in the autumn of last year.

"It's been a bit of a rocky road for me lately on and off," said Cowley, 27. "My dad passed away and I had to take a little bit of time with my mental health.

"The ban didn't help. It was one of those things, I was trying to do right by the horse and those I was riding for, but people didn't see it that way.

"It's great to have another winner and I hope I can kick on for the season. I'm with Laura full time now, she's a great friend. I've worked with her since I was 16 at Jonjo O'Neill's and it's a great atmosphere to be around at the yard."

Morgan said of Cowley: "I've had a big association with him and he's assistant trainer now.

"He's a very good rider and a massive asset at home; it's great for the yard and it helps me. When you're racing all the time and you're busy you've got to have someone good next to you and a good team."

Five shoot for the Moon

Almost exactly four years after their Coolanly won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at the Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting at Cheltenham, Five Go Racing unveiled another smart prospect when Moon Hunter took the 2m3½f novice hurdle.

The Henry Daly-trained point-to-point winner carried the partnership's colours to victory by two and a quarter lengths under Tom O'Brien.

"He's a horse to look forward to," said Norwich-based Martin Warren, one of the geographically widespread quintet which includes members in Wales and Birmingham.

"We bought him after his point-to-point win and Henry said he'd done everything he wanted him to. We were hoping for a good run today and Tom said he travelled well and when the other horses came to him he quickened after the last."

Baby booms

JP McManus did not have a runner on the Cheltenham card but he landed something of a touch here when Iroko, backed from a morning 8-1 into 9-4 favourite, took the 2m3½f hurdle under Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Joint trainer Oliver Greenall, who also won the 2m hurdle with Homme Public, said: "We've always liked him. I was slightly concerned about the ground and he came off the bridle early enough, but he battled on well. He's bound to come from that; he's still a big baby."

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