Wednesday 2 July 2014 17:59, UK
Hero De Villeneuve was given a patient ride by Brian Hughes as he romped away with the feature race at Perth on Wednesday.
Always travelling supremely well, the Robbie Hennessy trained gelding saw off Five Star Wilsham by seven-lengths in the RAF Leuchars Ops Squadron Handicap Chase (for the Stirling Cup).
Hughes said: "He won a couple of races over two and a half miles at Bangor in the spring but Robbie and I were always confident he would be even better over three miles.
"I felt I had everything covered and he gave me a nice feel the whole way round."
The winning trainer, who was working on development projects at home, added: "We've had a few winners over in England, Wales and Scotland, we'll have to think about moving over!
"He's a horse that had three wind operations and is a tall horse who's only just coming into himself. He's actually 10lb better off in Ireland, so that's an option, so we'll see what the British handicapper thinks.
"We'll keep him ticking along as he likes good ground. We just said to sit tight on him, but Brian's three from three on him now and knows him well."
Nick Alexander was on the mark with Humphrey Bee in the Celebration of the Horse Day July 30th Novices' Handicap Chase.
Veteran jockey Brian Harding rode the top-weight to victory and Alexander said: "I knew he would stay on as this 2m 4f is the minimum trip for him - we have two horses in at this time of year and they are both running today!
"Lucy would normally have ridden him but she's out injured so she's missed a birthday winner. She's here this afternoon and expects to be back riding in about a couple of weeks."
Ryan Day, 20, recorded his first winner under Rules when Lisa Harrison-trained Solway Sam landed the Monsterbet Handicap Hurdle.
"I've only been with Lisa four about four weeks and I've ridden two winners point to pointing," said Day, who is from Workington in Cumbria. "Brian Harding is looking after me, he's been a big help to me.
"It's absolutely brilliant, especially as I didn't fancy him as much as the other horse I rode for Lisa. "
Wilson Renwick completed a short-priced double on Gabrial The Great and Top Chief, trained by Donald McCain and Gordon Elliott respectively.
Super Collider (5-1) scraped home for the Corbett family in the ABF Soldiers Charity Handicap Hurdle.
