'It's like winning the Grand National' - 79-year-old owner celebrates 66-1 win

Saturday: Wetherby

It is hard enough to believe a 12-year-old who hadn't raced under rules in 960 days won the 3m handicap chase, but the truth is even more remarkable.

Ballyrath, who scored under Tabitha Worsley for trainer Gary Hanmer at odds of 66-1, is owned by 79-year-old Colin Moore, who gave him the perfect preparation for his return under rules.

"I finished sixth on him in this year's Town Plate," he said. "I said to Tabitha he got a much better ride today than with his last jockey! He's a lovely horse and everybody loves him."

Members can watch the replay of Ballyrath's remarkable win

Moore, who confessed to backing Ballyrath, has been unable to shake the racing buzz for much of his life and rides the veteran every day at home.

"I had my first ride in 1959, I managed to ride in the Hennessy in 1961 when Mandarin won it, but then I got too heavy," he said.

"It's a bug, though, you can't get away from horses and I've always ridden out somewhere. I'm still an apprentice jockey, really!"

Ballyrath was led up by Moore's wife Teresa, and he could be aimed at the Newmarket Town Plate again this year, with his rider hoping to end his career in the saddle on a round number aged 80.

He said: "To do this today, it's like winning the Grand National."

'Absolute weirdo' has Grade 2 aim

Chances are if a horse is unbeaten in three starts under rules he resides in one of the biggest stables in the land, but in Bold Endeavour's case that isn't true.

The six-year-old is trained in Leicestershire by Laura Morgan and took his form to a new level when winning the 2m3½f novice hurdle, marching through the gloom to win by 12 lengths.

Morgan said: "He won very impressively; that was a good novice today. You can't see a great deal, but it was really good. I don't think he'd want it any softer than it was today, he didn't travel as he usually does, but he got the job done."

The bumper and novice hurdle winner failed to sell when offered at Goffs last month, which looks a blessing for Morgan's yard as he has taken a lot of hard work.

Laura Morgan: on target with Bold EndeavourCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's very, very quirky," she said. "Alice Coleman rides him every day and has done a good job settling him and getting his mind focused in the right way. He's a typical Fame And Glory; he's an absolute weirdo."

She added: "This is what we do it for each day, I'm delighted. Hopefully, he can take us for a nice big day out."

The trainer will be hoping that day will come at Kelso on March 5 as she is targeting the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle before a possible tilt at the Aintree festival and chasing next season.

Results, replays and analysis

Read more from Saturday's action:

Expert jury: which horse who caught your eye today will you be backing next time?

Cheltenham targets for 'proper horse' Cobblers Dream after Lanzarote heroics

Eclair Surf makes all in Classic Chase romp for Emma Lavelle

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