Owner-rider Maxwell hits the back of the net as Hobbs resurgence continues

It was not quite Roy of the Rovers stuff, but it was not far off as 40-year-old amateur David Maxwell, a property investor by day, repelled riding sensation James Bowen to win the 2m½f novice hurdle on 33-1 shot Ecu De La Noverie.

Bowen, the 17-year-old champion conditional, was riding 13-8 favourite Mister Fisher for Nicky Henderson and looked like prevailing in the closing stages, but Maxwell was in front where it mattered and could not hide his delight.

"Nathan Vergen, who looks after the horse, has been saying since the spring that this is a serious sort and nothing could live with him on the gallops, but you take it with a pinch of salt until they see a racecourse," said Maxwell, who also owns the Philip Hobbs-trained son of Linda's Lad.