'Phil told me she was a certainty' - Sopat recoups past losses with stylish win

The repositioned New Year's Day meeting at the Norfolk track provided a welcome launch pad to 2021 for permit holder Nigel Dunger, who celebrated a first win for 660 days with Pride Of Pemberley.

The 12-1 chance ran out an emphatic winner of the aptly named Happy New Year Handicap Hurdle under Robbie Dunne.

Dunger has just two horses in training and both of them were on the lorry from Sussex, with the other, Hier Encore, pulling up earlier in the afternoon.

Dunger said: "That's a great start to 2021 and my first winner for two years. I was previously travelling head lad to Amanda Perrett and I rent my boxes from her. It's nice to win with a horse who has plenty of issues."

Making amends

The keen-going Sopat made almost all to recoup recent heavy losses in the maiden hurdle.

The 5-1 chance was gambled into 9-4 favouritism (from 16) at this track in December but she failed to settle and trainer Phil Middleton's cash went astray.

Lit up by the presence of spectators that day, the eight-year-old did not have that to worry about this time under Kielan Woods which seemed to help.

The rider, who was moving off the cold list, said: "I would think Phil has got his cash back today as he told me she was a certainty this morning. She was just too keen in the paddock last time but was much better today."

Poignant win

There was a sad footnote to the victory of Zee Man in the 2m5f novice handicap chase as his former owner Brian Vaughan died from Covid-19 last year without seeing him run for successful trainer Olly Murphy.

The 100-30 chance, who was formerly trained by David Dennis and was defying a 302-day absence, carried the colours of Geegeez.co.uk to an impressive win under Fergus Gregory.

Olly Murphy: trainer of Zee ManCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gerard Tumelty, assistant to Murphy, said: "It's an unfortunate set of circumstances and so sad that Brian didn't get to see Zee Man for us as he was such a nice fellow."

He added: "Olly found a weakish race that Zee Man could start back in and he could stick over fences or go back over hurdles next time."

Thriving conditionals

Conditional jockeys showed the professionals how it was done in the two features, kicking off in the 2m4f handicap hurdle in which Jordan Nailor served it up from the off on Not A Role Model.

The Sam Thomas-trained winner is better known as a chaser but exhibited great fluency over his hurdles.

Nailor said: "Thanks to Sam for putting me up and it's nice to get January off to the same start as December."

The 7lb-claiming Kevin Brogan later moved within one winner of having his claim reduced to 5lb when Krujers Girl struck in the 2m5f mares' handicap chase.

The winning rider is attached to the Jonjo O'Neill yard and said: "I rode her like the best horse in the race and kept her wide for the better ground."

Results, replays and analysis

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