Trainer Toby Bulgin back in business with first winner since quitting in 1989

Sunday: Fontwell

Trainer Toby Bulgin returned to the winner's enclosure for the first time since walking away from the sport in 1989 when the Jordan Nailor-ridden Luckofthedraw landed the 2m3½f handicap chase.

The trainer, who is based in Thetford, Norfolk, left a life with horses in search of stability in London.

“When I was 21 I got my training licence and trained 19 winners,” said Bulgin. “I bought a new yard, but interest rates hit 19 per cent and I had four young children, so I had to get a proper job. In 1989 I walked away from the sport and sold things to people.

“I've always been meaning to train again, but there's always a lot of good reasons not to get your licence, I can tell you.”

On Luckofthedraw’s victory at 12-1, he added: “It's a relief. I just sold the horse to my mother and step uncle, so it's a good job he won.

“I thought he should have been favourite. If you look at his form, he's not run badly at all. He needed his first two runs, when I probably under-did him a bit.”

Bulgin has five horses in training, with hopes of adding to his string, saying: “Like most people starting out, we all need owners and money to spend on horses.”

When asked if he missed London life, he added: “Not in the slightest. I worked in Barking for nine and a half years, that was long enough.”

Bridgwater strikes in Southern National

On what was a rare visit to the West Sussex track from the ITV Racing cameras, the David Bridgwater-trained Salty Boy landed his first chase victory when taking the feature 3m3½f Southern National.

The mount of Mitchell Bastyan, sent off at 4-1 in the 3m3½f handicap, stayed on strongly for a commanding five-and-a-half-length win over Almazhar Garde.

Results, replays and analysis

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