'I've got a great team' - Mario and Paddy delight red-hot trainer Sam Thomas

Sam Thomas continued his hot run of form as Mario De Pail gave the trainer his fifth winner from his last seven runners in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle.

On his previous two starts Mario De Pail had contested the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, then the Welsh Champion Hurdle, and the five-year-old benefited from a drop in class and rise in trip.

It was a hard-fought victory, with Miah Grace proving a tough nut to crack in front, but Mario De Pail got up in the final strides under James Bowen – who completed a double on Hooligan for Tom George in the 2m Introductory Hurdle – for a half-length success.