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Rock bags Worces pot

The field runs past the grandstands in the Worcester News Handicap hurdle race at Worcester Racecourse, Worcester.
Image: The field runs past the grandstands at Worcester

Psychedelic Rock returned to the scene of his only previous success to claim the 7Bets4Free.com Fixed Brush Hurdle Series' Hurdle Final at Worcester.

The six-year-old had disappointed since scoring there in July, but work put in by trainer Ian Williams paid dividends as the 7-1 shot came good in the £25,000 novice handicap hurdle over two and a half miles.

Tom O'Brien produced Psychedelic Rock to lead approaching the final flight and then hold 7-2 favourite Arthur's Gift by two lengths.

"It was a really good performance. He won here in the summer and gob-smacked us how well he won. He has looked ungainly in couple of runs, particularly at Bangor, and also at Uttoxeter last time, so we've just trained him a bit differently," Williams told At the Races.

"In the back straight it looked like he was struggling and he didn't handle the bend, but when they straightened up he galloped all the way to the line and finished well.

"We discussed whether to run Banditry here or him, as they were qualified. Banditry wouldn't have stayed the trip, but we needed to run one of them because of the good prize money."

Remind Me Later (10-1) got the better of Pickamix to take the Richard Davis Memorial Limited Handicap Chase for trainer Gary Moore, ridden by his son, Jamie.

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"He does it nicely. It was his first try at the trip. We thought he'd get it and dad was quietly confident," said the winning jockey.

"He was the most experienced horse in the race over fences and he battled on well in the end."

The Moores doubled up when All Currencies (20-1) edged out Peggies Venture and Molly Childers by a short head and a neck in the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Truckers Highway (33-1) caused an upset when making most of the running in the Fred & Mercy Rimell Memorial Handicap Chase.

Lee Edwards kicked for home on the John Groucott-trained eight-year-old from three out and had enough the tank to win cosily by three and a half lengths from Volvalien.

"He had trouble with one of his hocks and we couldn't get him quite right last year, we gave him the summer off," said Groucott.

"Tom said he jumped the first four fences really well and got the others at it. He gave him a breather and the horse enjoyed himself."

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