Jamie Snowden's fine form continues as 'lovely' Knights Affair makes winning jumps debut

Jamie Snowden's fortunes from his career-best season last campaign rolled on when Knights Affair made a successful jumps debut in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle.

The five-year-old was a double winner on the Flat for David O'Meara and despite having to be mounted on the track and weak in the betting, the 2-1 co-favourite got the job done by a length under Gavin Sheehan. 

Snowden said: "He's a lovely, big, raw individual. He had a fair few races when he was trained on the Flat, but he's still a bit of a baby. This was a great start and all he's going to do is improve.

"That was a nice introduction and he'll run throughout the summer. We're all very hopeful about him."

Snowden enjoyed his best season of winners and prize-money last term, as well as a Grade 1 breakthrough. Knights Affair made it two winners from just four runners this campaign for the trainer.

He added: "We've got 15 horses in for the summer and they're a nice bunch to have, so it's great we've made a nice start."

Chadwick's happy place

Alex Chadwick's red-hot course record continued with Mermaids Cave's win in the opening 2m3½f mares' handicap hurdle. The six-year-old's four-length success took the amateur rider's track strike-rate in the last five seasons to 38 per cent.

Macey makes hay

Jockey Ben Macey took his strike-rate this season to 40 per cent with Ann D'Arabie's success in the 2m7½f mares' handicap chase.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more