NEWMARKET in May seemed a million miles away from wind chilled Wincanton yesterday afternoon until Dick Mern, who houses the warm favourite for this year's 2,000 Guineas in Alhaarth, landed Division One of the ARC Diamond Jubilee Maiden Hurdle with Mutazz.
Mutazz ridden by Rodney Farrant showed a decent turn of foot to nip past Fabulous Mtoto after the last hurdle and quickly assert to score by four lengths.
Jamie Osborne, who has almost a full book of rides at Chelteham, was the jockey to follow as he clocked up a double via wins for Moat Garden and Pashto.
Problem horse Moat Garden has given trainer Ian Balding more than a few headaches over the past three bears but came good in the Tommy Wallis handicap Hurdle.
The eight year old just held off the late dash of Dreams End after the last hurdle to collect the spoils by a head.
Pashto a chance mount for Osborne, following regulars pilot Mick Fitzgerald damaging a shoulder in an earlier fall, took the Wincanton Logistics Handicap Chase by three lengths from Larry's Lord.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Larry's Lord, had earlier enjoyed better fortune when General Crack and Tony McCoy held off Capenwray by half a length in the Comstrad Novices' Chase.
