Ponting owes it to parents as 33-1 shot Gavin gets new trainer up and running

Saturday: Uttoxeter

Trainer Joe Ponting enjoyed a milestone in his career as he celebrated his first winner following 33-1 shot Gavin's victory in the 2m handicap hurdle.

Ponting was quick to pay homage to his parents, who also owned the winner, saying: “I wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't for my parents; they've supported me massively and always stood by me.”

The trainer, who is based at Wotton-under-Edge, trained pointers before taking the plunge to train under rules and added: “We were training a few pointers at home and it cost the same amount of money to train them as it does to train under rules, so we decided to take out my licence and earn more prize-money.”

The winner scythed through the field before forging clear under Danny Burton to win by a comfortable seven lengths. Ponting said: “I didn't think he'd win that easy, I thought he would be thereabouts, but he never puts in a bad performance.”

Ponting has 11 horses in training, with a mixture of Flat and jumpers, and has an ambition to expand. He said: “The aim is to get as many winners as we can and build as many new connections as possible.”

Treble tops for Ben Jones

Jockey Ben Jones also enjoyed a landmark day with an 80-1 quickfire treble. Sandy Boy struck in the 3m2f handicap chase and Little River Bay won the mares' novice handicap chase, both for Philip Hobbs before Jones capped off a great afternoon with victory on the Dai Burchell trained-Akkapenko in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Results, replays and analysis

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