'She's a real fighter' - Sacre Coeur battles to victory to evoke memories of former Grand National heroes

It was fitting that on the raceday raising awareness for the cancer trust run by Bob Champion, the jockey who won the Grand National on the Embiricos family-owned Aldaniti, that the feature Nick Embiricos Memorial Handicap Chase should be won by a horse carrying blue and white silks.

Little Aldaniti, who was running in the famous silks of the 1981 National Hero, couldn't land the spoils in the Shetland pony race before racing, but under a bold front-running ride from Fergus Gillard, Sacre Coeur repelled all challengers to score by a length.

Dick and Mandy Higgins, owners of the Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old, collected their winning trophy from Embiricos's wife Valda and daughter Alexandra, and the moment wasn't lost on the pair.

"We're really pleased with her. She's a real fighter, but she won't get away with it again!" Dick Higgins said. "To do it in the same combination of colours to the ones that the Embiricos famously had, and in a race in his honour, is very special."

Sacre Coeur was an exuberant runner, forging many lengths clear before being given a breather by Gillard and going again, with the fast-finishing Deeper Blue never closer than at the line.

Mandy Higgins said: "She's a tough girl. She just seems to settle better when she's out alone than when surrounded by others. She just loves being by herself."

Gordons strike

Although unsuccessful in the feature with third-place Lord Baddesley, Chris Gordon had something to cheer about when Small Bad Bob won the 2m handicap hurdle.

He won by three and three-quarter lengths under the trainer's son Freddie, and Gordon said: "It's brilliant. The horse has so much pace and this is a £20,000 race, which is fantastic at Plumpton.

"We took 7lb off with Freddie and I said just unleash hell. Fred's done a great job and I think he's only got one more win with his 7lb claim – I'm very proud."

Jonathan Burke riding Western Soldier (right, maroon and white cap) on their way to winning at PlumptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Soldier fights to success

Western Soldier, a useful Flat horse when trained in Germany, made it second time lucky over hurdles in the opening 2m novice for Milton Harris.

Jonathan Burke, who was also on board for the five-year-old's debut at Sedgefield, made all to cruise to a seven-length success.

He said: "We expected to win the first day, I just felt he didn't battle for some reason. Hopefully he can reach a high enough level over hurdles and going forward he [Harris] can do plenty in the winter with him."

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