Tom O'Brien dashes from winner's enclosure to hospital for birth of son

Tom O'Brien brought up an unusual double on Friday, when he managed to partner a winner at Exeter before dashing off to be present at the birth of his second child.

O'Brien almost gave up the ride on 2-1 favourite Longshanks, trained by his boss Philip Hobbs, in the 2m3f handicap chase but after being encouraged to take his only ride of the day by wife Hayley, O'Brien had time to secure an 18-length success before racing to hospital to be at her side for the birth of the couple's second son, Toby.

Reliving one of the most unusual and longest days of his life, O'Brien said: "The contractions started at 4am on Friday and I took Hayley to hospital at 8am, but she was sent home and I was thinking nothing was going to happen.

"Later on they started to come on stronger so I dropped her at the hospital before Exeter. She texted me in the car park saying that it was going to happen quite soon, so I didn't know if I should turn and go back or not.

"My wife told me to stay for the ride but I was in two minds. Luckily the horse won and I also got back to the hospital in time, so it all worked out well. I got there at 5pm and Toby arrived at 7pm."

O'Brien reports mother and baby to be doing well back in the comfort of their own home, a 30-minute drive from Exeter racecourse, with Toby already becoming acquainted with his 15-month-old brother Archie.

Thyme Hill (near side): leading contender for Thursday's Stayers' HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The 35-year-old rider capped a memorable few days when partnering Musical Slave to victory at Sandown on Saturday and is now hoping Thyme Hill can give him a Grade 1 triumph in Thursday's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

He added: "He's definitely the main one. He went to Aintree fresh last year and was fine and he seems to run well after a break, so that was always the plan.

"His work has been good and he's schooled well. It's a tough-looking race, with Klassical Dream, Champ, Lisnagar Oscar and Flooring Porter in there, but Thyme Hill has good form and hopefully he has a good chance."

O'Brien added: "I'm also really looking forward to riding Celebre D'Allen in the Plate. He's had a good season and hopefully he gets in. Having some better rides to look forward to makes it all the more exciting."

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