Winning jockey taken aback as 'out of sorts' 80-1 shot springs major surprise

Ryedale Racer caused an 80-1 shock in the 2m6½f handicap hurdle with a sudden bounce back to form for trainer Nick Alexander.

The ten-year-old joined Alexander in 2019 but was pulled up in four successive starts after winning at Hexham in October of that year, and trailed home by a combined 125 lengths in his last two outings.

However, he looked a different proposition this time under Grant Cockburn, jumping smoothly and pulling eight lengths clear of Morningside at the finish.

The victory had extra significance for Cockburn, who rode out his claim as a result.

"A lot of credit must go to the team at home because this lad had been out of sorts lately after bursting a blood vessel when he won at Hexham," Cockburn said.

"It's hard to have a lot of confidence but you have to go out there and give him every chance and he was right today. It's testing ground so it was hard for the others to come from the back.

"At least he managed to complete his last two and maybe he showed a bit more. He had more life about him today on the way down to the start."

Empire Steel too strong

The Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 17 could be on the agenda for Empire Steel after he dominated the red-hot favourite Protektorat in the 2m7½f novice chase.

Empire Steel romps home with Protektorat trailing behindCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Empire Steel took advantage of the underperformance of the Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat to run away a 41-length victor under Ryan Mania, with the race's only other runner, Port Of Mars, pulling up.

Winning trainer Sandy Thomson said: "We thought we had a nice squad of chasers coming into this season and he's looking the best of them now. He's done it really well today despite the other two not really running their race.

"I've always thought the Scottish National may suit him and if we got soft ground at Ayr that might be somewhere we end up."

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