Maguires in news again after Tremallt's victory

Another Maguire took the starring role as Tremallt made virtually every yard of the running in the £50,000 Pertemps Asap Handicap Chase at Kempton yesterday.

Twenty-four hours earlier, Adrian Maguire had been the toast of the punters on the opening day of the Christmas meeting, when the Irishman won the Pertemps King George VI Chase on Florida Pearl.

And it was Adrian's nephew, 19-year-old Jason, who produced a similarly positive piece of riding to take the big race on 20 to 1 chance Tremallt.

The 10-year-old gelding, who was winning his eighth race for Gloucestershire trainer Tom George, was headed on the run to the final fence as Strong Paladin and Cadougold made their challenges.

But Maguire conjured a brave rally out of his mount who led again at the final fence and stayed on gamely to hold Strong Paladin by a short head.

"I have been trying to give Jason some opportunities as he really deserves them and I'm delighted for him," said George.

"He's been working for me for two years and he is a good rider. Hopefully this will mean he gets a few more chances.

"This is a big prize and it makes up for when he fell at the last in the Racing Post Chase last season.

"He likes Kempton and he is a real battler, you saw it there. I suppose now we will have to keep him for the Racing Post Chase again.

"His syndicate bought him and Superior Risk for 5,000 guineas when I started out and they have won about 12 races between them. They all had a bit of 20 to 1 this morning too!"

Fondmort remains en route for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, despite a less-than-convincing success in the opening Sword Security Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.

The five-year-old, sent off the 2 to 5 favourite, was conceding weight to his three rivals and had to be ridden out to get the better of unfancied 20 to 1 chance Monkerhostin.

But Kempton's leading trainer Nicky Henderson, who matched a double notched at the course 24 hours earlier, was far from displeased with what he had seen.

"He is not the sort of horse you really want to be making the running with as he prefers to cut through his rivals," Henderson said.

"You can't be unhappy with that, he was giving 17lb to the runner-up."

Cheltenham is also the target for Greenhope, who is to be aimed at the Triumph Hurdle, after bringing up Henderson's brace in the Executive Network Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

The 7 to 4 favourite was another all-the-way winner, holding off the challenge of Wesley Snype by a neck.

"The course didn't suit him today, he couldn't go round the bends, and he has done well," said the trainer. "I would like to think he will go for the Triumph."

Mick Fitzgerald, who rode both winners for his boss, was stood down for the remainder of the meeting after suffering a bruised ankle in a fall from Chalmers Place in the race won by Tremallt, and will have to pass the doctor before taking his rides at Haydock today.