'We'll be skipping back down the M1' - Beaufort West ends Irvine's dry spell

Tuesday: Uttoxeter

Beaufort West was a welcome winner for the Andy Irvine yard, who had endured a barren spell of 56 runners without a win since November last year.

The 25-1 outsider of six sprang a surprise in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle, prevailing by half a length from the Olly Murphy-trained Storm Of Light under James Bowen.

Gemelle Gracey-Davison, assistant trainer to Irvine said: "We're going to be bouncing – we'll be skipping back down the M1!

"We needed it. The horses haven't quite been 100 per cent, but they're all starting to run back into form now and he's come down the handicap."

Beaufort West, who has mostly been campaigned over fences for his current connections, gained his last win when previously trained by Colin Tizzard off a mark of 129, a full 2st above his current rating.

"He just lost his confidence over fences," said Gracey-Davison. "He just didn't put a run together last time out at all. The ability is there, he just needs his confidence and everything to fall right for him.

"It's brilliant for the team, Andy's at Fontwell, so yeah, just fantastic."

Faultless favourite

Yggdrasil made all under David Noonan in the feature 2m4f novice handicap chase, fighting hard to justify favouritism in gaining a third victory over fences from just four attempts.

The Nick Williams-trained five-year-old was joined by the eventual third, the Tom George-trained Kakamora, but fended off the challenge to prevail by two and three-quarter lengths.

Another upset

Blue Beach, another outsider at 40-1, scooted clear in the closing mares' bumper in the style of a nice horse, with her nearest rival, the Alan King-trained Passing Reflection, 12 lengths back in second.

Results, replays and analysis

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