25-1 Cob is just the job for rerouted Jacob in River Don

Daryl Jacob praised Ben Pauling’s expertise to reroute him to Town Moor from Cheltenham’s cancelled card after it paid off in triumphant style following The Cob’s impressive victory in the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle.

Jacob had been due to partner Bristol De Mai in the Cotswold Chase at Prestbury Park before the fixture was called off on Friday, but he reaped the rewards from making the alternative journey to South Yorkshire when the 25-1 shot returned to winning ways with a shock nine-length victory from 50-1 chance Portstorm.

The Cob’s success gave Pauling a third win in the race, the most of any trainer in the Grade 2 heat following previous wins with Barters Hill in 2016 and Nadaitak in 2019. It was extra special for the Grade 1-winning trainer as the seven-year-old carries the colours of his racing club.

“All credit to Ben and his team, with Cheltenham off he switched me up here to ride this lad,” Jacob said. “He had no worries about the trip and The Cob travelled through the race nicely, jumped really nicely bar my mistake three out and he’s won readily enough.

“Ben’s horses are good triers and they run all the way to the line – this lad is no different.”

Should The Cob contest the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, connections will need to stump up the £4,687 supplementary fee as he did not feature among the original entries for that contest.

Miranda makes hay

The galloping track proved to be the perfect tonic for Miranda, who bounced back to her best form to secure a first Graded success with victory in the Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle.

The Grade 2 contest has been won by the likes of Annie Power, Vroum Vroum Mag and dual heroine Lady Buttons, and while there were no rivals of that calibre this year, the six-year-old bounded clear to win by four and a quarter lengths from Floressa to pick up a fifth career success for her owners, the Owners Group.

Miranda: could be seen in the Kingwell Hurdle next following her Grade 2 successCredit: Edward Whitaker

While Annie Power and Vroum Vroum Mag contested the Mares’ Hurdle following their Doncaster exploits, the Paul Nicholls-trained mare is not a certain runner at the Cheltenham Festival and could be kept at this level for her next assignment.

Nicholls’ assistant trainer Harry Derham said: “If the ground is soft, Miranda could run in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. She’s been a consistent mare and the weights here were quite favourable. Last time we felt she was a bit flat out round Musselburgh but on a big, galloping track and slower ground here it suited absolutely perfectly.

“Whether or not she’ll go to the festival I’m not sure, but it’s important for these nice mares to get some black type and a Grade 2 win like that for her is fantastic and great for the Owners Group, who have a lot of horses with us.”

Dixon ends barren spell

Jason Dixon spoke candidly about the struggles he has faced after he rode his first winner since September 2019 aboard Dorking Boy in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle and edged closer to losing his 7lb claim.

Jason Dixon notched a welcome and emotional winner aboard Dorking Boy in the opening contestCredit: Pool

Dixon spent a year on the sidelines with injury and found winning rides tough to come by since his return, but broke the 500-day barren streak with victory on the seven-year-old to give him a 17th career winner – three away from reducing his claim to 5lb.

“It’s hard getting back and getting your name out there, instilling confidence back in yourself because when you’re out for so long it’s a struggle,” Dixon said. “Lads start forgetting about you, so thanks to Tom [Lacey, winning trainer] for giving me opportunities.”

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