'They'd been banging on the door' - Tom Symonds gets off the mark in 2025 after string of seconds

Tom Symonds finally got off the mark for the new year after a string of seconds when Issam landed the 2m3f novice handicap chase.
The Grade 2-winning trainer had gone close with three of his four runners in 2025 but was back in the winner's enclosure when the seven-year-old denied odds-on favourite Pic Roc by a head under Jordan Nailor.
Symonds said: "They'd been banging on the door and running so well, but were just bumping into horses. It was unfortunate, but there were no excuses. It's great to get our heads back in front, and doing it so gamely was great to see."
Issam, who has never finished out of the first three in five starts at Exeter, was making a winning chasing debut for his third course success.
"He's a talented horse, but we thought he'd got to the stage where he needed a change to bring out the best in him," Symonds said.
"I loved the way he took to fences, and he was very professional. Jordan did lots of his schooling, so it was great he got the reward on him. The weather scuppered some of our schooling, so we hope his jumping will improve even more."
More Snowden success
Jamie Snowden's flying start to 2025 continued when Jack Sprat obliged in the 2m7f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle, which gave the trainer four winners on the bounce.
Snowden could not make it five victories in a row with Roe And Co, who was pulled up in the 2m½f maiden hurdle won by Saint Anapolino.

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Published on inReports
Last updated
- Southwell: 'It looks like the penny is starting to drop' - Immortal Fame lands hat-trick for delighted Deborah Cole
- Carlisle: 'He showed us he had lots of ability from day one' - Shomen Uchi makes 'perfect start' to chasing career after two-year absence
- Musselburgh: two races run within 20 minutes after medical emergency leads to delay
- Lingfield: Billy Loughnane fires in 697-1 treble to continue flying start to 2025
- Qatar: 'Bombproof' Rebel's Romance lands feature again to launch another Sheema Classic bid
- Southwell: 'It looks like the penny is starting to drop' - Immortal Fame lands hat-trick for delighted Deborah Cole
- Carlisle: 'He showed us he had lots of ability from day one' - Shomen Uchi makes 'perfect start' to chasing career after two-year absence
- Musselburgh: two races run within 20 minutes after medical emergency leads to delay
- Lingfield: Billy Loughnane fires in 697-1 treble to continue flying start to 2025
- Qatar: 'Bombproof' Rebel's Romance lands feature again to launch another Sheema Classic bid