'It means the world' - Riders Onthe Storm wins thriller for elated connections

How your fortunes can change in racing. Last season was one to forget for trainer Richard Hobson, but the new campaign started in the best possible way as Riders Onthe Storm held off Hitman to win the Old Roan Chase by a head.

This was not just a return to form for a trainer whose Cheltenham stable was hit by a virus, but also for a horse whose rating had plummeted since a victory at Grade 1 level.

Carrying joint-bottom weight and sent off the outsider of the eight-runner field at 16-1, Riders Onthe Storm won for the first time since the Ascot Chase in 2020, when he was trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Delivered with a perfectly timed run by champion jockey Brian Hughes, the nine-year-old was back on his game as he got the better of topweight Hitman at the line.

"We're definitely going to celebrate this one," said Hobson, displaying relief and delight in equal measure.

"We were in the doldrums with him all last season – his first run back was good and then he got injured at Cheltenham. Then the horses got sick in the yard and they remained sick all the way into April.

"The break and bringing him back nice and fresh has done him the world of good. The prep went extremely well and he's plummeted down the handicap a little bit and was given a fantastic ride. Hitman is a very good horse and, with the weight turnaround on the day, we've kept our head in front.

"Brian said keep him fresh and that's the key to him, so we won't overlook the calendar too much and probably run him a few times over the season."

Riders Onthe Storm was introduced at 20-1 for next month's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham by Betfair, with Paddy Power going 14-1.

Riders Onthe Storm battles under Brian Hughes to deny Hitman and Harry CobdenCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hobson, a former jockey and successful bloodstock agent, had been on an upward curve as a trainer until a disappointing last campaign yielded just three wins.

Having not had a domestic winner since January, he is hoping to have turned the corner after gaining his biggest success.

"From November onwards our horses started to get ill and we just couldn't work it out," Hobson added. "You do everything you can and it just didn't happen. They've different horses now – you can see from their skin, all the horses look so well. Hopefully we can move forward from that."

The victory was extra special for Merseyside-based owners Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott, who have both had runners in the Grand National in the past.

"This is a famous old race and we're local people, so winning it means the world," said Hinchy. "We grew up watching Monet's Garden win this race so it's a bit of history, it's incredible.

"Winning at Aintree is something we always want to do. Mark is absolutely delighted as well."

Hitman, who twice finished second in Grade 1s last season, was sent off 100-30 second favourite following sustained support for Do Your Job, and Harry Cobden was happy with his mount's comeback.

"I'm delighted with him," the jockey said. "I tried to keep him covered up and getting a lead, and everything went right apart from our head wasn't in front. I'm very happy but frustrated at the same time."

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