Champagne moment for Sky's Robert Cooper after race named in his honour

Tuesday: Sedgefield

Broadcaster Robert Cooper was presenting for Sky Sports at the track which was fitting as it kicked off with the Robert Cooper 40 Years In Racing Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Although there were only four runners for the 2m4f contest, the result was in doubt until after the last before well-backed even-money favourite Fairfield Ferrata prevailed under Conor O'Farrell.

Cooper, who presented the prize for the race before himself being presented with a bottle of champagne, started out in racing exactly 40 years ago to the day with Mecca Bookmakers.

Commentator Malcolm Tomlinson described the race as "one of the feature races of the year at Sedgefield". Cooper said: "I'm very honoured to be celebrated in this way and thanks to Sedgefield for putting it on. I don't how long I will carry on but hopefully it will be a few years before they put a 'memorial' suffix to the race!"

Irish gamble landed

The Irish landed the main event at Cheltenham and also bagged the feature in the north-east when Ellaat landed a gamble in the 2m1f hurdle.

Sean Bowen had a good tow into the race on the Noel Kelly-trained runner, who had run well to be second at the track on his previous outing.

Bowen, who rides Back On The Lash in the cross-country chase at the festival on Wednesday, said of the 2-1 favourite: "That was no surprise as his form was way above anything else in the race. The strong pace suited him."

Results, replays and analysis

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