'You won't see a better ride all year' - Quinlan persistence pays dividends

"You won't see a better ride all year" exclaimed Gold Cup-winning jockey Andrew Thornton after Sean Quinlan’s persistence was rewarded in the 3m handicap chase when he somehow got the Jennie Candlish-trained For Jim up to win for a fifth time this year.

The half-length victory looked unlikely, with Quinlan’s mount hitting as high as 80-1 in running with Betfair as he was off the bridle for the majority of the race, and Quinlan more than earned his riding fee as he secured his 25th winner of the season.

Candlish’s partner and assistant trainer Alan O’Keeffe echoed the thoughts of Thornton and said: "I don’t think you’re going to see a better ride all year round. Sean knows the horse inside out and that’s why he’s one of the best in the north of England."

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It completed a double on the day for Candlish and Quinlan, who took the 2m novice hurdle in more straightforward circumstances when It’s Good To Laugh bolted up by ten lengths to make it two out of two over hurdles after dead-heating at Perth last month.

The double made it four winners from their last five runners for the Staffordshire operation, and O'Keeffe added: "He ran very well at Perth and ran into a horse who was fifth in the Champion Bumper. He’s got very good Flat form and we expected something like that. He’s an exciting horse for the future.

It's Good To Laugh continues a perfect start to hurdling careerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The horses are in great form and when you’ve got a jockey riding like that it makes things easy as well.”

Welcome win

Quinlan and Candlish were denied a treble when Happy Hollow was foiled by the Harry Reed-ridden Justatenner in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle for trainer Tristan Davidson.

Results, replays and analysis

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