Hold Your Fort claims course hat-trick

In a nip-and-tuck battle with Dripsey Moon, James Best took full advantage of an untidy jump by the runner-up at the penultimate fence to win by a head in the Class 3 Mark and Vicky Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Having won at the same venue on June 25 and July 5, the eight-year-old bay gelding put in another impressive showing. Racing from a 23lb higher mark than his first win, he was also 12lbs out of the handicap for this latest race.

Cornishman Best was hoping to follow that success up in the day’s final race aboard Sue Gardner’s Testflight, but he could only finish fourth as Noah’s Light became the longest priced winner of the afternoon when Lewis Stones triumphed in the Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Handicap Chase at odds of 18-1 for trainer Richenda Ford.

Earlier in the day, Jack Tudor made light of a almost coming unstuck  on the first flight to claim victory aboard Final Entry in the opening Sky Sports Racing on Sky 415 Juvenile Hurdle.

In what was David Pipe’s only runner of the day, the three-year-old’s persistence paid dividends as he sealed a closely-fought battle with Kalkaroo.

The 12-1 shot, Karannelle, ridden by James Bowen, prospered in the next race, defeating Outback Frontiers to take the Newton Abbot Racecourse Conference Centre Handicap Hurdle, which had been divided into two.

And it was Sam Twiston-Davies, aboard 4-1 favourite Konigin Isabella, who prospered in the third race of the day, winning by a length from Get The Value to ensure it was a happy day out in Devon for trainer Anthony Honeyball.

Saint Bibiana was seeking a four-timer in the William Hill Betting TV Handicap Hurdle over an extended three and a quarter miles and, having been raised 4lbs for a neck win last time at Cartmel, faced her stiffest task yet from a rating of 109.

She almost pulled it off, but found the concession of 12lbs to Grove Road – ridden by Sean Bowen – too much, being caught just yards from the line, going down by a head.

Bowen, no stranger to track success, celebrated his 33^rd win of the season so far, but there was first of the campaign for Fern O’Brien, riding for father Fergal, as she stormed to a 12 length victory in the Racing Partnership TRP Handicap Hurdle.

In a dominant display over 2m 1f, the six-year-old was in a league of their own, dominating from early in the race to see off next best Bravewhenineedtobe.

All that was left for punters was the final race, which saw Lewis Stones guide 18-1 shot Noah’s Light to success in the Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Handicap Chase for trainer Richenda Ford.

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