Impek lands emotional win for Lewis

Racing : Impek ran his rivals into the ground to record an emotional victory for Jim Lewis and Henrietta Knight in an incident…

Racing: Impek ran his rivals into the ground to record an emotional victory for Jim Lewis and Henrietta Knight in an incident-packed renewal of the William Hill Gold Cup at Exeter.

Lewis' famous claret-and-blue silks were carried to victory in the race twice by Edredon Bleu and once by his triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate.

It was in this race 12 months ago that 'Matey' collapsed and died, so there was no more fitting outcome to the Haldon Gold Cup than his 10-year-old stablemate defying top weight under Tony McCoy.

Impek jumped to the front at the third fence and never saw another rival, with McCoy looking round for non-existent dangers heading to the fourth-last before coasting to a 19-length victory from Ground Ball.

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But as Impek sailed from fence to fence there was carnage in behind with Green Tango falling at the third - the same obstacle at which Dempsey unseated Andrew Tinkler.

Impek's stablemate Racing Demon got rid of Graham Lee at the fourth.

Knight's six-year-old, sent off the 3-1 favourite, then charged around the course and unseated Richard Johnson from Chilling Place when jumping across him at the first fence in the straight.

McCoy had been oblivious to what was going on back in the field and said: "It wasn't my concern what was happening behind and he was giving me such a thrill up front. With the weight he had it was a very good performance.

"He jumped super and showed what a good horse he is. He was good and fit today but he might just come on for it."