Praying Mantis caps 246-1 across-the-card double for Mark Loughnane

Wednesday: Thirsk

Mark Loughnane's northern raid paid off handsomely with a 246-1 across-the-card double, headlined by Praying Mantis' shock success in the mile selling handicap.

The five-year-old bounced back to her best to win by a head under William Carver at 18-1 and made the long journey from Loughnane's Worcestershire base worthwhile, with the trainer also scoring with 12-1 shot Pearl Reef at Musselburgh.

On Praying Mantis' success, Loughnane told Racing TV: "It was a bit of a surprise really. We've run her on the all-weather since she came to me and wasn't doing a lot. Her form in Ireland was okay and we took her chance in this. William gave it a super ride.

"She's in the sales next week and if she can pick up another one or two wins on the grass, then it's job done. It's a job well done today."

Winning jockey Carver lost his unbeaten record at the track following her success when his second mount, Total Commitment, was beaten by Snash in the feature 6f handicap.

Off the mark

Ed Bethell and Julie Camacho landed their first two-year-old wins of the year after taking both divisions of the 6f juvenile novice between them.

Rock Of England notched a mild surprise for Bethell when scoring on his debut at 12-1 in the opening division, before Equity's Darling got off the mark at the second attempt for Camacho half an hour later.

A future star?

The exciting Julia Augusta, trained by Roger Varian for Cheveley Park Stud, maintained her unbeaten record when sauntering to victory in the mile novice.

Results, replays and analysis

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