Thorpe takes Folkestone prize
Alison Thorpe feels there is still plenty of improvement in Diktalina after she produced an impressive performance to land the Saga Personal Finance Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Folkestone.
Alison Thorpe's youngster was no great shakes on the Flat but a fine third on her hurdling debut at Fakenham and a similarly encouraging fourth at Plumpton last month suggested she would fare better in this sphere.
Sent off at 11-4 under Daryl Jacob, Diktalina travelled powerfully into the straight and careered away after the final flight to score by nine lengths without being extended.
"We're delighted with that as she has settled well, jumped nicely and was quite impressive," said Carmarthenshire-based Thorpe.
"She's been running in quite good company and it's nice that maybe now we can think about running her in a good race somewhere later in the season.
"She's also rated quite low on the Flat and we might even give her a spin somewhere to make the most of her mark."
It was also a fine day for Alison Batchelor after the permit holder secured a first winner - just one day after saddling her first runner (Siouxme) at Plumpton on Monday.
Mr Floppy, previously trained by Ferdy Murphy, was ridden patiently by Jacob, who always appeared confident in the Saga Motor Insurance Handicap Chase.
Batchelor's 15-8 favourite cruised up to join the leaders at the top of the straight and stretched away to score by seven lengths from Wadswick Ben.
Ban Uisce (14-1) had been beaten over a combined 300 lengths on his three previous outings but put those efforts behind him with a comfortable success in the Betfair Conditional Jockeys' Training Series Handicap Hurdle.
In-form trainer Neil Mulholland said: "They're running well at the moment, and that always helps.
"This fellow has done it well and hopefully he can go on from here and continue to improve.
"He hadn't shown much before today but he's a big baby and it's all about confidence."
Rince Donn gained his first success in well over three years with a fine staying performance in the Saga Home Insurance Novices' Handicap Chase.
The Roger Curtis-trained eight-year-old hinted his turn was near when beaten just a short head into second on his latest appearance at Ffos Las, and was sent off at 9-4 to go one place better.
Travelling strongly and jumping with accuracy throughout, Mark Grant guided his mount into the lead on the long sweeping turn for home and safely negotiated the final few fences to score by five lengths.
Champion jockey Tony McCoy ensured he would not leave without a winner when giving 4-5 favourite Rapid Increase a fine ride in the Saga Health Insurance Handicap Chase.
Having been settled in last early on, Jonjo O'Neill's charge made stealthy headway up the straight and kicked three lengths clear on the run-in, having gone to the front at the final fence.
The closing Saga Travel Insurance Mares' Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race went the way of 3-1 chance Annimation for trainer Seamus Mullins.
