'Lairy so-and-so' The Steward pulls off breathtaking all-the-way Newcastle win

Conditional jockey Charlotte Jones pulled off an extraordinary victory at Newcastle when The Steward built a huge advantage and maintained it to win unchallenged.

The 7lb claimer, successful earlier on 50-1 shot Dagian and completing her first double, overshot the start on the keen-going 9-1 chance who had to be checked over by the vet before being allowed to run.

Her mount was equally free in the race itself, a 2m½f jumpers' bumper, and had soon built up a huge advantage.

He was still well clear off the home turn, and although the ten-year-old tired in the straight he passed the post unchallenged, with closest pursuer Zamarkhan 13 lengths adrift at the line.

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How the race unfolded

The Steward and Charlotte Jones are clear of the pursuers on the turn for home

Tabou Beach Boy leads a very distant chase

Swaffham Bulbeck begins to attempt to make inroads on The Steward's lead

The Steward is still well clear approaching the furlong marker

Despite tiring in the closing stages, The Steward hangs on to win by 13 lengths with Zamarkhan finishing in second

The Steward had one hurdles win to show from 21 previous races for trainer Jimmy Moffatt, who said: "He was a 96-rated Flat horse we paid £15,000 for. He's the lairiest, most behind the bridle so-and-so you've ever come across and out of desperation I ran him in a jumpers' bumper 13 days ago and he really performed.

"Today when I put the saddle on he really wanted to get on with it and you've probably seen a little of that 96-rated Flat horse he used to be. He's a two-mile stayer on the Flat and I thought they gave him enough rope."

Jones, 24, told Sky Sports Racing: "It wasn't much my choice, The Steward does what The Steward wants."

The stewards inquired into actions of the other jockeys, who said they were aware the winner had been keen to post before running very keenly in the race and bolting with the rider to hold a considerable early lead.

They added that they all asked their mounts for an effort approximately five furlongs out but could make little inroad.

The stewards were satisfied that all mounts were asked for sufficient effort and had obtained the best possible placings.

The in-running comment

Keen to post and overshot start, took keen hold, tracked leaders, pulled way into lead after 1f, soon increased tempo and went clear, 30 lengths ahead halfway, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, unchallenged

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Two for Flat man Ben

Flat jockey Ben Robinson gatecrashed this jumpers' bumpers meeting to ride a double.

He struck on Manjaam for David Loughnane and Punxsutawney Phil for Brian Ellison, who suggested the rider should get involved in this sort of card.

Ben Robinson completed a double by winning on ManjaamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I told him to get his bumper licence because he is a great jockey," the trainer said. "He proved he can hold his own against the bigger lads.

"He's a grand lad, he's very strong and with only the likes of Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Southwell on the all-weather for Flat jockeys in the north, he can struggle to get a lot of rides.

"So he's doing all right with his bumper licence and hopefully he can go on and ride more winners."

Snow stops Echo

Tuesday's meeting beat the elements but snow elsewhere meant several horses could not get to Newcastle.

Middleham-based Jedd O'Keeffe had to withdraw Echo, and said: "It's really bad, we've got at least seven inches of snow. The main roads are probably passable but we simply couldn't get to them – you wouldn't get out of our place in a car, definitely not in a horsebox and only just about in a four-by-four.

"Strangely enough we couldn't get the box out with the same horse when he was due to run at Newcastle three or four weeks ago and had to be withdrawn for the same reason.

"We managed to get one lot of horses out on the moor and they could only trot as it was so deep. The rest had to go on the horsewalker."

Among those O'Keeffe was able to trot on Middleham Moor was stable star Sam Spinner, of whom the trainer said: "He had a setback after he last ran at Newbury with a recurring foot problem.

"That's all good now but he'll have to go straight to the Stayers' Hurdle and obviously he's got to put a couple of moderate performances behind him and ramp it up."

Replays, results and analysis

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