Laugharne ends Dace drought and edges Thornton closer to 1,000

A history book rather than a form book would be needed to find Sussex trainer Luke Dace’s previous winner at the Somerset course and he was busy racking his brains after Laugharne proved the answer to the 3m novice hurdle.

Not only did the five-year-old manage to break a long losing run for Dace over jumps but he also helped veteran rider Andrew Thornton move another step in his quest to partner a career 1,000 winners as the victory put him on 997.

Thornton was not surprisingly delighted with the win and joked: “Let’s hope I can ride the other three winners before Christmas Day and then I can sit down and relax over a good Christmas lunch for a change – but of course I did not say which Christmas!”