Fuller lets out a scream of joy as brave mare gives her a first Grade 2 victory
It was the most enormous scream and it was entirely merited. Page Fuller had just ridden the biggest winner of her career and her reaction on passing Sandown's winning post aboard Anythingforlove might well have been audible down the road at nearby Kempton.
To say Fuller and her partner worked hard for the victory would be a massive understatement. In arduous conditions the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle produced a slow-motion finish, yet that only played to the strengths of Foxtrot Racing's six-year-old.
Having disappointed on her first tilt at Pattern company, Anythingforlove was sent off at 18-1, but she defied those odds in admirable fashion.
It was fitting that she did, given trainer Jamie Snowden was a four-time winning jockey of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, which would have been the centrepiece of the card but for the cancellation of this season's Sandown military races.
"It meant a lot," said Fuller, who rode out her claim in October and picked up this mount as Snowden's principal jockey, Gavin Sheehan, was on duty at Fontwell.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunities I'm being given," she added. "Gavin turned to me schooling this morning and said: 'I bet you're glad Fontwell's on today.' I told him he was right. I need to make sure I'm at the peak of my ability to step in when Gavin isn't there and produce a ride that's hopefully as good as he would give."
There were certainly no complaints from Snowden, whose second Grade 2 winner of the campaign was bred by Bryan Mayoh from the same mare who produced 2017 Gold Cup hero Sizing John.
"Page is a very bright talent and she has a big future," said Snowden, while turning his attention to Anythingforlove, he admitted: "We came here hoping to nick third but it's always nice to win. She isn't very quick but she is hardy and gutsy with a huge amount of stamina."
Barry's boys give Lavelle a double
Although a little late for Valentine's Day, Emma Lavelle was eyeing up a special meal for husband Barry Fenton after seeing Red Rookie and Eclair Surf complete a double for the stable and jockey Tom Bellamy.
Fenton rides the two horses at home and both could have some big dates in the future, with Lavelle making it absolutely clear she has high regard for 2m novice hurdle winner Red Rookie, who erased the memory of his disappointing October return at Lingfield.
"We love this horse and have done since he won two bumpers," said Lavelle.
"I took the rugs off him at Lingfield and he looked fat. I was so mortified because I hate seeing horses we love get beat because I've messed up. Interestingly, though, he was really poorly afterwards. He went off his food and ran a temperature but we don't know what was wrong.
"He's enormous, he's a chaser and I would say he's a fair horse. I have no fancy targets for him because he's a horse for next season and jumping fences."
Eclair Surf is now a two-time winner over fences after showing an excellent attitude to take the 3m handicap chase.
"I have to thank the husband," added Lavelle. "They're his boys and he loves them. He is going to get a really nice supper tonight!"
Gifford eyes Sandown return for Belargus
Tears in the Sandown winner's enclosure will be guaranteed if 1m7½f handicap chase winner Belargus can return in April to capture the contest named in memory of the great Josh Gifford.
"Romantically, the race I would love to win with him is back here on the last day of the season," said Gifford's son and winning trainer Nick, who so nearly landed the prize seven years ago with Christopher Wren.
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