Wednesday 4 March 2015 11:52, UK
Malton trainer Malcolm Jefferson has endured a miserable season but there are signs of light at the end of the tunnel just in time for the major Festivals as Cyrus Darius gave him his third winner from his last six runners at Newcastle.
A fine stamp of a horse and a definite chaser in the making, Jefferson has given him plenty of time since getting his hands on the six-year-old in unfortunate circumstances.
Sent off 7-2 for the R F Henderson "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle having shaped well in a couple of bumpers, Brian Hughes was motionless as he hit the front at the last, cruising to a 12-length win from odds-on favourite Court Dismissed.
Jefferson said: "His previous owner sent him to me, not to train, just to put out at grass as he felt he needed time.
"Unfortunately Mr (John) Stephenson died and his executors offered me the horse."
He added: "The horses weren't right earlier in the season so we bided our time and when he ran at Ayr he was a bit buzzy.
"We won't kill him this season, I'll probably look for something at Ayr or Perth for him, he likes a bit of nice ground."
Jefferson and Hughes doubled up in the closing bumper when the debutant Jurby (9-4 favourite) ran away from his rivals and could head to Ayr's big meeting next.
Former north-east native Andrew Thornton moved one closer to the magical 1,000-winner mark on Ruth Carr's Light The City (11-2) in the Robert Kirkland (Blyth) Handicap Hurdle.
Thornton spends most of his time riding down south these days, despite living in Rainton near Ripon.
"I need 22 more for 1,000, that's my 25th winner this season," said Thornton.
"I thought Adrenaline Flight was going to be running at Exeter but Seamus (Mullins) decided against it so I thought I'd come up home and ride this lad.
"I rode him last time out and I've known Ruth for a very long time.
"It's 24 years since I rode my first winner here."
Keith Reveley struck in Listed grade at Doncaster on Saturday with Balmusette and while the win of 2-1 favourite Whichwaytobougie in the second division of the KB Sheet Metal Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle was at a much lower level, jockey Colm McCormack was over the moon.
"I thought Jonathan (England, on Mister Jones) had got away but it's a strong headwind and when you are on your own it's harder to keep going," said McCormack.
"At the second-last I felt I'd get there and by the last I knew I'd win.
"That's my second winner this season, I just keep tipping away.
"I go to France with James (Reveley) in the summer and enjoy it there, I've ridden a handful of winners and will be going back again."
Reveley himself was among the winners again with Sheena Walton's Dystonia's Revenge (14-1) in the Newcastle Falcons Handicap Chase.
Yet again he was seen to very good effect, dictating the pace.
"My agent (Bruce Jeffrey) fancied him and got me the ride," said Reveley.
"He jumped brilliant and I just kept on filling him up.
"He has a breathing problem so the better ground helped him. He takes a breath when he jumps."
Keith Dalgleish has worked wonders with Montoya's Son (7-2) and he brought up a four-timer in the Close Brothers Business Finance Handicap Chase under Wilson Renwick, rallying close home.
