'She's pretty good . . . she's just lovely' - Twiston-Davies keen on Zambella

Wednesday: Doncaster

There was no battling needed this time. Three days after Good Boy Bobby's hard-fought Rowland Meyrick success at Wetherby, Zambella cruised home for the same team in the £60,000 Yorkshire Silver Vase.

She collected her fifth Listed mares' chase for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede by an emphatic 15 lengths and is now a 10-1 chance (from 16-1) for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at Cheltenham with the sponsors.

"She's a pleasure, though I'm just standing in for Daryl Jacob and I wish him back quickly," said jockey Sam Twiston-Davies. "She was fantastic."

Outlining plans, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "There will be another of these Listed races, then the festival. She's pretty good. She probably didn't beat much today but she's just lovely."

The Yorkshire Vase was conceived by Roderick Duncan, who was presented with a replica of the trophy to mark his final day as clerk of the course at Doncaster.

"I've been extremely privileged to work with such a great lot of people," he said. "A clerk of the course is only ever as good as the team he puts around him and I'm lucky to have worked with one of the best teams anywhere in the country."

Arena Racing Company chief executive officer Martin Cruddace paid tribute to Duncan, who is now clerk at Huntingdon, and said: "It's going to be a bit odd waking up in the morning and not having Roderick part of the team, but he's done a 14-year stint and been amazing."

Roderick Duncan was presented with a replica of the Yorkshire Vase to mark his final day as clerk of the course at DoncasterCredit: Nigel Kirby

Successful Quest

Nathan Brennan was delighted to ride his first winner since joining Nicky Henderson, and first for anyone for eight months, on Surrey Quest in the novice hurdle.

The 7lb claimer, 22, said: "It was a long time coming; it was definitely well needed.

"Thankfully, the boss and the owners had faith in me and put me up on such a nice ride. It's the biggest opportunity since I've been there. I can't thank them enough.

"This game is tough but you have to just keep your head down, keep working away and things eventually pay off. It's days like this that make the days in the gym or grafting away at home and in the yard worthwhile."

Brennan has been with Henderson for about two months and said: "I'm really enjoying it, they're a great bunch of lads and lasses. I thought I'd take a step forward and try to get on some classy horses. Thankfully, today paid off."

He had sought advice from James Bowen, who won on Surrey Quest last time but is now sidelined, and said: "He filled me full of confidence. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see the horse win, he's a team player like all of us, we all stick together."

Nathan Brennan: 'It was a long time coming, it was definitely well needed'Credit: David Carr

Getting it right this thyme

Thyme White, who had unseated his rider when trying to run out at the first fence at Ascot 12 days previously, bounced back to land the novice handicap chase and complete a double for Paul Nicholls, who also took the conditional jockeys' hurdle with Gala De Corton.

And the Gill Boanas-trained Sultans Pride also returned to form to land the 3m hurdle at 22-1.

Replays, results and analysis

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