ALEX HARVEY, assistant to Oliver Sherwood for five years, sent out his first winner as a trainer when High Learie made virtually all in the Bet With The Tote Novices Chase at Plumpton yesterday.
. Harvey (26), who also rode four winners for Sherwood, trains three for his father, Edward, who also owned 1989 Grand National winner Little Polvier.
The young handler who has 11 horses at Bishop Stortford, and received his full license last December, said: "I couldn't be more delighted to have my first winner for Dad. He has been most supportive and encouraged me to start up on my own.
Jimmy McCarthy and High Learie (14 to 1) were briefly headed going to the water jump for the last time by Easy Breezy, but were soon back in front to score by two lengths.
Bula Vogue, the 10 to 11 favourite, was another out in front nearly all the way in the Sheffield Park Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle, to score by five lengths from Maylin Magic for trainer Richard Rowe and jockey Darren O'Sullivan.
Rowe said: "She has been leased to us for three years by Michael Oliver, of West Tip fame, and then she goes back for breeding. She will make a great brood mare, being by Phardante out of a good mare.
"I would like to qualify her for the Hoechst Panacur Hurdle Final at Newbury and hope the handicapper is not too hard on her, as she's a bit limited over timber. Chasing should be her game."
Frank Hill, a former master butcher and a racehorse owner for over 70 years, added another to his long list of winners when Kentavrus Way took the opening Cowfold Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle at 14 to 1.
Hill (93) had his first winner, Acrobatic, ridden by Steve Donaghue at Hurst Park way back in 1928.
Trainer Richard Alner had the first two home in the Hassocks Novices' Chase where Coolteen Hero (13 to 2) beat his stable mate Purbeck Cavalier by six lengths. Willie McFarland and Coolteen Hero made every yard of the running and were never in any real danger.
