Double delight as Tom Malone-trained pointer lands two races in one day

High-rolling bloodstock agent Tom Malone may be well versed in finding winners - think horses like Native River, Finian's Oscar, Dodging Bullets and One For Arthur - but on Saturday he broke new ground when one of his purchases, who he trains himself, landed two races on the same card at Wadebridge point-to-point.

Admittedly The Last But One's task was somewhat easier than the Cheltenham and Aintree targets Malone's more notable recruits have faced, as he registered a walkover under Jo Supple in the ladies' open and also finished alone when contesting the two-runner men's open under Will Biddick a short while later.

"At the entry stage there was only five in the ladies' and seven in the men's, and I knew that no-one was going to want to take me on in the ladies' race, so he was going to get a walkover," explained Malone.

"As long as I waited for the declarations for one to close I could declare for the other, so the opportunity just presented itself. I think it's been done before but it's a very rare thing."

Remarkably, The Last But One attempted to go for the hat-trick at Buckfastleigh last than 24 hours later, but was foiled by the smart Master Baker when finishing second in race three on Sunday.

"On a normal day he'd have won three, but he got beat by a decent horse," said Malone, who has built up quite an attachment with the seven-year-old son of Kutub, having purchased him on three separate occasions.

"I first bought him when he was a store and then sold him to an owner of mine who sent him to Gordon Elliott," explained Malone.

"Then I bought the horse back and sold him on to the Jockey Club syndicate and we had him with Paul Nicholls for two years and he won four races. When they sent him to the sales at Ascot I bought him back for £32,000 just to have a bit of fun with him.

"He's run four times for me and has three wins and a second to his name. He's ever such a lovely horse and is a gentleman to have around the place."

Malone, who trains a trio of point-to-pointers, may have missed out on a hat-trick with The Last But One, but was on the mark at Buckfastleigh on Sunday when Isla's Dream landed the mares' maiden.

Two of his three pointers winning was not the only cause for celebration for Malone this weekend, as he enjoyed a fruitful Saturday with his purchases competing under rules.

"Saturday was a brilliant day, Quel Destin won the Victor Ludorum, Grand Sancy won the Kingwell Hurdle, Silver Forever won the mares' bumper at Ascot and I had a winner over in Ireland [Star Max] as well," he said. "It was a great day and long may it continue, Paul Nicholls' horses are absolutely flying at the minute."