'Surprised' Donald McCain becomes first trainer to reach 100 winners this season

Tuesday: Newcastle

Donald McCain became the first trainer to hit the milestone of 100 winners in Britain this season when Cenotice won a thrilling three-way finish to the 2m½f handicap chase.

Little separated the five-year-old, Treshnish and Gallic Geordie at the final fence and on the run-in, but Cenotice dug deep to prevail by a nose – with Gallic Geordie the same distance back in third – to give McCain the fifth century of his training career and his first since the 2013-14 season.

McCain said: "We're quietly chuffed to be honest. We had no masterplan to train lots of winners or do anything special, but I've got a wonderful bunch of horses who have nice owners and as good a group of staff as you could hope for.

"It's a great credit to them. If you surround yourself with nice people, then good things happen; everyone works their socks off."

Cenotice (red cap) jumps in tandem with Treshnish (centre) and Gallic Geordie (left) at the final fenceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Cheshire trainer narrowly pipped Paul Nicholls, who remains on 99 winners, to the century bragging rights, but originally thought the landmark celebrations had to be put on hold.

"As I watched it live I thought we hadn't got there, but when they showed the slow-motion replay I thought we had half a chance. It was a great finish to be involved in and you don't see many finishes like that," he said.

"At the start of the season I hoped it'd be nice to get 100 again, but to do it now is a surprise. It's sneaked up on us, but it's lovely and a mark of how hard everyone has worked."

Hughes nears personal best

Brian Hughes edged closer to a personal-best tally for a season – 146 in 2018-19 – and the jockeys' title after landing a double on Ri Na Farraige for Richard Fahey in the opening bumper and odds-on Lady Adare in the final race, the mares' novice hurdle, for Harry Fry.

His tally of 138 winners is 62 more than second-placed jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.

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