Johnson Houghton delight as Shorter Skirt proves too hot to handle

The colours of Hot To Trot Racing have recently been best-associated with 2017 Flying Childers winner Heartache, but they returned to the winner's circle courtesy of Shorter Skirt.

Prior to disappointing on the fourth start of her two-year-old season at Kempton in September, the daughter of Showcasing had been somewhat unfortunate to retain her maiden tag after three consecutive runner-up performances.

Returning from a 206-day break, the 7-2 shot was delivered late by Charles Bishop in the opening fillies' novice contest, eventually getting the better of odds-on favourite Fen Breeze by a neck.