Owner celebrates a double as Donald McCain fires in 109-1 four-timer

Sunday: Carlisle

Owner Gary Fitzpatrick had a day to remember in the bright Cumbria sunshine after his double in the first two races provided the springboard for a 109-1 four-timer for trainer Donald McCain.

Fitzpatrick, a lawyer based in Cheshire, still pinches himself at having horses with McCain and the pair celebrated together following victories with Forpaddytheplumber and Geromino, who were both ridden by Brian Hughes.

"Racing has been a passion since I was a kid in the 70s and Red Rum and the McCain family were a big part of that, so when I got to meet Donald there was an instant connection," said Fitzpatrick.

"He gave me two rules – pay the bills and be lucky. I've paid all the bills and been lucky as they're winners 41 and 42 with Donald."

McCain sent four horses to the meeting and ended up winning with all of them, after Malpas and Killane kept the stable's brilliant season going.

The trainer, who heaped praise on his team at Bankhouse, has played a major part in Hughes's all-out assault on the jockeys' championship.

Geromino clears a fence en route to victory in the 2m novice handicap chaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Victory aboard Malpas in the novice handicap hurdle was number 184 for the season for clear title-leader Hughes, who is rapidly closing in on his target of 200 winners.

Danny McMenamin, a late replacement for the injured Peter Kavanagh on Killane, got involved in the McCain domination with victory in the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

Welcome boost

When the chips are down, you find out who you can rely on. Smooth Stepper has been a grand servant for Alex Hales and he was there for the trainer again as he registered back-to-back wins in the feature veterans' chase.

The elder statesman of the field at 13, Smooth Stepper gave Hales a boost in what is proving a frustrating season.

"He's been the most wonderful horse for the owners and rarely lets you down," said the trainer. "For him to do that at the age of 13 is just brilliant.

"We've had an up and down season and we needed this today. He's been so well at home, if he hadn't run well I would have cried."

Although this was Hales's 16th victory of the season, his strike-rate is lower than his previous two campaigns.

"We had two really good seasons and the horses haven't been as healthy as you'd like, so winners have been harder to come by, but that's the way it goes," said Hales.

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