Eight-hour trip north pays off as Neil Mulholland's Alright Dai backs up Boxing Day win

An eight-hour trip north paid off for Neil Mulholland’s team when Alright Dai gained a second win in eight days in the 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

The Lycett Racing-owned seven-year-old struck for the first time at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and followed up by two lengths under Conor O’Farrell.

Alright Dai was a third winner in the last two days for Mulholland, who is based near Bath, and he said: “It was a long trip north and it took my head girl Georgie [Murgatroyd] about eight hours on New Year’s Day, but thankfully it was worthwhile.

“He went up 12lb in the handicap for his Market Rasen win and we had him entered up in case the handicapper did something like that. He was placed in bumpers and a novice hurdle so does have form and maybe dropping him out has suited him.”

Hashtag job done

Brian Hughes brought up the half-century for the season aboard 2m4½f novice handicap chase winner Hashtag Boum.

The Ruth Jefferson-trained mare has two wins and a second to her name from three chase starts after this three-length victory.

Treble up

Lucinda Russell enjoyed an across-the-card treble headlined by Whistle Stop Tour’s success in the 3m handicap chase.

Derek Fox and Russell were also successful with 1-4 favourite Walking On A Dream in the 2m maiden hurdle, while the trainer struck on the all-weather at Newcastle with Jujubella in the 1m2f handicap under Paul Mulrennan, who went on to land a treble.

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