Templier back on top as Crosse ends winless drought at Hereford

Templier sprang a surprise in the 2m novice handicap chase at Hereford as the six-year-old battled gamely to earn his first victory since his jumping debut nearly three years ago.

The 25-1 outsider joined Katie Stephens during the summer but had failed to rediscover any of his earlier promise, losing by a combined total of 144 lengths across his three runs.

However, Templier proved he still retained plenty of fighting spirit as he edged the well-fancied Delface by a length, breaking a run of 19 races without winning much to the delight of jockey Dave Crosse, who was also celebrating his first domestic winner since March.