Mukdar survives blunder to win

Mukdar landed his fourth success of the season when having too many gears for Coulthard in the Tote Handicap Hurdle yesterday.

Norman Williamson's mount, well-supported at 11 to 2, survived a blunder at the second last and had matters well in hand on the run-in. The winner, whom Kim Bailey bought from Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum for 3,000 gns last year, is bred for greater glory, being by the top flight American performer Gulch out of the Irish Oaks winner Give Thanks.

But despite his dam's love of cut in the ground, Mukdar is considered best on a sounder surface.

Bailey said: "He doesn't like it soft but Norman brought him wide in the straight for the better ground.

"That's four out of 10 for him this year, and that's not too bad, is it? I was going to rough him off after today but I'll probably run him again now."

Eugene Husband picked up a two-day ban (Dec 17th-18th) for careless riding after partnering Orphan Spa into second spot behind Riot Leader in the Hugh Rosselli Memorial Maiden Chase.

Husband's mount was found to have interfered with third-placed Alston Antics when edging right on the run-in but the stewards left the result unaltered as Orphan Spa had not improved his position.

Lorcan Wyer headed south following Sedgefield's abandonment to partner Tim Easterby's Rusk in the Cassidy And Partners Christmas Claiming Hurdle.

The jockey's jaunt down the A1 was rewarded when Rusk made all the running to beat Grand Cru by six lengths. However, Rusk did not make the return journey to Easterby's Malton yard as he was claimed for £6,000. At Fontwell, Dean Gallagher took the riding honours with a 5 to 1 plus double on Dangerus Precedent and King of Thieves.

Odds-on favourite Dangerus Precedent had an easy seven-length victory over Roborant in the first division of the Yapton Novices' Hurdle.

King of Thieves clinched the double for Gallagher in the Findon Handicap Hurdle.