Rookie jockey Nathan Adams wins Imperial Cup on First Avenue

First Avenue masters Kazlian to win the Imperial Cup at Sandown

First Avenue (20/1) gave ten-pound claimer Nathan Adams the biggest win of his career in Saturday' Paddy Power Imperial Cup at Sandown.

It was only a fourth career success for the jockey who was ice cool as he went in pursuit of Kazlian who looked to have slipped the field two out.

However the leader got in too close to the final obstacle and made a mistake, allowing First Avenue to go to the front.

He stayed on dourly to fend off David Pipe's top weight Tanerko Emery (11/1), another given a fine ride by a conditional in Kieron Edgar.

Kazlian (10/1), a stablemate of the second, held on for third ahead of long-time leader Barizan (20/1).

"He was unlucky round here the last time in November when falling at the last when full of running. I had a lot of confidence in the horse, creeping along and he took off," the winning rider told Channel Four Racing.

Mongan said: "I was screaming pretty loudly coming to the last and just hoped he jumped it safe and sound.

"To win this is surreal. You've got to have a bit of confidence but we'd have been over the moon if he'd been placed. To win is incredible."This is my biggest win by some distance. Nathan gave him a smashing ride and knows him inside out."

The winner could now head to the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham next week for which he is 16/1 with Sky Bet.