McDonald emerges from the doldrums

TRAINER Bob McDonald emerged from the doldrums at Newcastle yesterday to notch his first success in three years. His long drought came to an end when Crosshot seized the Novices' Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old rekindled great memories for McDonald as he was carrying the same colours as Young Ash Leaf, the winner of the Scottish Grand National in 1971. Crosshot was also providing a rare success for jockey Kevin Jones who had the satisfaction of getting the better of Richard Dunwoody.

Crosshot and Dunwoody's mount Cover Point were locked together before the last and it was only on the run-in that Crosshot pulled away for a seven-length verdict.

McDonald, who has just half a dozen horses at Duns, Berwick, said: "I can't remember our-last winner but this horse has been pin-fired and that seems to have done the trick."

Brian Harding was knocked out for several minutes after taking a crashing fall from the favourite Show Your Hand in the same race. He was taken to hospital for observation and has been ruled out for three weeks.

Another casualty was the amateur Mark Thompson who was unseated by Coolreny. He was stood down for the remainder of the day but expects to ride at Musselburgh today.

Show Your Hand's trainer Lenny Lungo was made to suffer again when Celtic Giant, the 4 to 7 favourite, capsized at the first in the Newcastle Novices' Chase. There was more drama when the second favourite Aslan, a clear leader at the time, tried to refuse at the sixth. Jimmy FitzGerald's charge ended up climbing the mountings at the side of the fence. He eventually continued more than a fence behind the principals as victory went to Garbo's Boy.

Trainer Ann Swinbank maintained her rich vein of form when Son of Anshan whittled away Rossel's huge lead to justify favouritism in the Juvenile Novices' Hurdle. The success put her on the 14-mark and well on the way to her target of 20 for the season.

White Willow will be leaving Mary Reveley's stable after making all in the Claiming Hurdle. Reveley was happy to allow the gelding to be claimed as the owner is giving up racing. White Willow is likely to join Trevor Wall's yard.