Cool gets hot at Wetherby

Rookie trainer John McConnell sent out Coolnaharan for a gutsy victory in the totesuper7 Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby's first fixture of the new season.

The former vet has only been in the game for a year, but clearly has a knack with thoroughbreds.

It was hardly a straightforward triumph, though, as the race changed dramatically once Pepporoni Pete stumbled badly upon landing after the last.

That mistake paved the way clear for the Davy Condon-ridden Irish challenger, who came home by a length and a quarter at odds of 9-2.

Curragh-based handler McConnell, who has a string of 20 horses, said: "I've had 10 winners in Ireland but that was my first winner from four runners in the UK.

"We can't get anything like good ground in Ireland so that's why we've come here.

"Davy said he would have won even if the other one (Pepporoni Pete) hadn't slipped up."

Coolnaharan's success also represented unchartered territory for Condon, who was visiting the Wetherby winner's enclosure for the first time.

The Irish rider is now permanently based in England, having been appointed this summer as stable jockey to Cumbria handler Nicky Richards.

"I've been settled at Nicky's for around a fortnight," he said. "I'll be there for good now, but I'll be over to Ireland if I get a good ride and Nicky hasn't anything entered."

Howard Johnson landed a 64-1 double, after experiencing the heartache of racing when Madison Heights had to be put down after the Rachel Wright Memorial Hurdle.

The County Durham handler saddled Ellerslie George (11-2) to a game two-length verdict over Borora in the skybet.com Supporting Spinal Research Bobby Renton Handicap Chase.

His trip

Owner Graham Wylie said: "That was his trip and that was his ground. He's definitely a two-and-a-half-mile horse.

"He was fit and ready to go and we'll keep him at that trip now."

Night Force (9-1) then claimed the Ramada Jarvis Hotel Wetherby Maiden Hurdle.

Ngong Hills cast aside an unlucky last outing at Kelso to win the Iveco Eurocargo Handicap Chase - Wetherby's first contest over fences since March.

The Chris Grant-trained seven-year-old was brought down when in contention at the Scottish track, but set the record straight with a length-and-a-quarter verdict over Lough Rynn.

Grant said of the 6-1 joint-favourite: "I'm not saying he would have won at Kelso - he was too far back - but he would have still run a nice race.

"He's a horse that wants it good to fast, so the ground didn't bother me."