Laura Morgan 'gutted' after repeat treble bid is thwarted in photo-finish

Wednesday: Musselburgh

Ten days on and back at the scene of her first career treble Laura Morgan was left rueing what might have been after she was denied another short-priced hat-trick in a photo-finish.

Morgan’s day got off to the perfect start when Adam Wedge steered Loughderg Rocco, who ran in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time, to a first win under rules in the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle.

The Leicestershire-based trainer then had Clear The Runway and Champ Is Real to rely on, with the pair odds-on to back up their recent course successes.

Clear The Runway travelled well throughout the 2m4½f handicap chase but clattered through the second-last fence, pecking on landing, and despite Wedge’s best efforts Izzy’s Champion prevailed by a nose.

There was no such drama for Champ Is Real, who bolted up in the 3m handicap chase to complete doubles for Wedge and Morgan.

The trainer had mixed emotions when speaking to Racing TV. She said: "I was absolutely gutted. Clear The Runway missed two out and landed on his head and then he’s rallied, he’s been so game bless him.

"To only be done on the line, I’m gutted about that for the horse more than anything. It was so close to another treble but it is what it is."

Broodmare prospects for Millarville

Owner Geoff Adam received a welcome boost ahead of Aye Right's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup bid when Millarville become the second winner for the training partnership of Harriet Graham and Gary Rutherford in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Aye Right will run in the festival showpiece in the same colours as Millarville, who will have a second career as a broodmare, and Adam joked: "That’s why we’re buying mares a bit now to start that nonsense in the twilight of my career."

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