'I’ve got another 500 coming on Friday' - Sheppard book sales flying as he keeps track success going with feature victory

Eight days on from winning a race he sponsored to advertise his new book, trainer Matt Sheppard struck with his first runner at his local track since when Moodofthemoment obliged in the feature 2m5f handicap chase.

The seven-year-old had been beaten a neck on both his second and third starts for Sheppard before getting off the mark under rules over course and distance last month.

The 2-1 shot defied a 5lb rise under the trainer’s son Stan to score by half a length from the Sam Twiston-Davies-ridden 5-4 favourite Superbolt.

“It was probably a career-best performance from him,” said Sheppard. “Stan is very strong from the last to the line – there aren't many people who beat Sam Twiston-Davies.

“We picked him up for £5,500 and that’s my baseline sort of market. I’ve only got about 12 in, so to have had five winners this season is pretty good.”

Sheppard is also satisfied with things away from the track, having sold the required number of 400 copies of his autobiographical Confessions of a Slow Two-Miler needed to break even.

“I’ve got another 500 coming on Friday. I’m just trying to sell as many as I can up until Christmas,” he said.

Stan Sheppard was denied a double in the following 2m5½f handicap hurdle, in which his mount New Found Fame chased home Greenways, who provided rider Ben Poste with a first winner since May when making a successful stable debut for Tom Symonds.

Welcome winner

Richard Hawker ended a 906-day wait for a winner when Jonjo O'Neill Jr struck on his first ride for the trainer on Presenting Milan in the bumper.

Worthwhile trip

Dual Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Michael O’Sullivan’s first trip to Hereford paid off when Midnight Exit, his first mount of the season in Britain, justified 5-4 favouritism in the 2m fillies' juvenile hurdle for Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.

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