'It's incredible' - flying Fergal O'Brien reaches 50 winners for the season

Samba Dancer survived a late scare at the final flight to bring up 50 winners for the season for trainer Fergal O'Brien in the 2m4f maiden hurdle, fittingly ridden by O'Brien's longtime ally Paddy Brennan.

The six-year-old was beaten in handicap company last month on his first start since switching from Eoin Doyle's yard, but on this occasion he scored comfortably by three lengths from the Graeme McPherson-trained Zulu Dawn, helping his new trainer reach the half-century.

O'Brien said: "He was put to me by a friend of mine in Ireland and always seemed a nice horse when he came over. Paddy got off him at Worcester and said a maiden hurdle would probably be a bit easier for him so Uttoxeter it was. It's nice for the owner as well as it's his local track so that was great."

On the landmark total, O'Brien said: "We're absolutely delighted to get 50 by this time of year. It's incredible. We're very lucky that the owners have supported us and wanted to keep racing even when we hit the pandemic and we just rolled on from there.

"We've been on a great run – 50 jumps winners and six Flat winners so it's been a fantastic time so far."

Much-needed winner

Trainer Sue Smith has had a selective summer thus far, but she struck with her first runner in almost a month as 28-1 shot Treasured Company bolted up by six lengths to settle a competitive 2m handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys.

The conditional doing the steering aboard the winner was Thomas Wilmott, who himself was recording his first success in 414 days.

Dual-purpose trainer Martin Smith was also in the winner's enclosure as his Friends Don't Ask, given a bold front-running ride by Nick Scholfield, took the 3m2f handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets