Ride of the season? All-action Tom Cannon delivers Coolvalla for unlikely win

Thursday: Lingfield

Tom Cannon put in an early claim for ride of the season with a never-say-die effort aboard Coolvalla in the 2m7½f handicap chase.

The six-year-old was sent off 2-1 favourite after making light work of his rivals on his chasing debut at Fontwell but this was much harder, with Cannon having to push his mount along from an early stage.

The runner-up Bobmahley hit 1.15 in running after seizing the lead at the third-last but Coolvalla rallied and asserted to win by a length and three-quarters and earn his rider hearty cheers in the winner's enclosure.

He said: "I think any jockey worth their weight can push a horse, that was the easy bit, it was keeping him interested out in the country which was a challenge. That sort of ground was ideal for him and to his credit he was very tough to battle after the last. It was very satisfying.

"It's great for the horse's owner Les Gilbert. He's not very well but I'm sure he'd have been watching from home with his heart in his mouth like everyone else."

The in-form rider recently partnered his 500th British winner and will be hoping his hot streak continues at Newbury on Saturday, when he partners Potterman in the Coral Gold Cup.

Givega impresses for Moores

The Moore family are assembling a strong group of novice hurdlers and Givega made a striking debut in the 2m contest.

Last year's Champion Bumper fifth Authorised Speed made a similarly impressive hurdling debut at the track's previous meeting and connections struggle to split the pair.

Josh Moore, representing his father Gary, said: "We liked him a lot at home and we thought he'd win like that today so it's good that he's got it done.

"He'd be quite similar to Authorised Speed. You wouldn't split them much at home, they both jump well and are both good horses who can cope with soft ground."

The Moores doubled up when the progressive Walk In The Wild emerged from the gloom to win the concluding 2m handicap chase.

Greatrex back in the game

Warren Greatrex has endured a quiet couple of seasons but was encouraged by the gallant win of Bill Baxter, who relished the stamina-sapping conditions to land the 2m4f handicap chase under James Bowen.

The Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer moved Lambourn yards last year and it has taken longer than expected for his string to hit form.

He said: "Last year we moved and it took all our season to get the hang of it and then they weren't quite right around February time, but we're back in the game now."

The grey, who is named after a Scottish footballer, had undergone a wind operation after his last run and Greatrex believes it can be the catalyst for further improvement.

"It was a nice performance," he said. "He'll get three miles and even James said today he kept going when he realised he could breathe."

Replays, results and analysis

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