Prep work pays off as Monjules gives John Norton first jumps winner since 2016

Thursday: Sedgefield

Trainer John Norton celebrated his first win over jumps in more than five and a half years when Monjules made his experience in France count to land the 2m1f juvenile hurdle on his stable debut.

Callum Bewley's mount was a drifter in the market and went off at 5-1 having been odds-on the previous day, but that did not temper his trainer's confidence.

Norton said: “I was very pleased with his final piece of work when Callum came down from his home in the north-west. We schooled him without a lead – my thinking was that it was only a matter of time before he came to the last hurdle in front in a race.

“I'd like to thank his owner Jonathan Mayo for putting his faith in a small trainer. He’s a local man who lives on my doorstep and has horses up and down the country with various trainers.”

The South Yorkshire-based trainer added: “My last jumps winner was here when Fiddler's Flight won in 2016.

“I've only got a handful of horses, but without overcooking the goose, this fella means just as much to me as any winner I’ve had before.”

Favourite pairing

Trainer Donald McCain and conditional jockey Theo Gillard rewarded favourite backers in consecutive races when Brother Pat (9-4) romped home by 12 lengths in the 3m3f handicap chase and Geromino (15-8) made all to win the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Results, replays and analysis

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