Newcastle: remarkable front-running bumper winner scores by huge margin

There were extraordinary scenes in the opening 2m½f bumper when Jack Hyde put in a remarkable performance with a wide-margin, front-running victory, having been 50 lengths clear halfway through the race.

Trained by St Albans-based Thomas Gallagher, the five-year-old was given a brilliant ride by owner and amateur jockey John Reddington when blazing a trail from start to finish to eventually win by 15 lengths from Paddy Elvis.

While the unique tactics left Jack Hyde's 13 rivals caught out, the trainer was not shocked by the nature of the performance.

Jack Hyde led from start to finish in the opening bumper at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick

Gallagher said: "I ride him every day at home and know what he is going to do, so when he went so far clear my emotions were actually okay.

"I'm delighted for John especially. He knew how he needed to be ridden and did exactly just that. He needs to be ridden positively and John rode a really good, intelligent race with the way he did. To do it his way and to win like that made it a brilliant ride."

The win was the fifth success in the 50-year-old amateur jockey's career, and a first under National Hunt rules in Britain having ridden three British Flat winners as well as an Irish jumps success, while it was a second victory from just five runners this month for Gallagher.

The trainer added: "It's been a brilliant couple of weeks and the horses seem to be really well at the moment. Long may it continue, especially with a victory like that."

Ten of Reddington's fellow riders from the race were subsequently interviewed by the stewards who, having seen recordings of the contest and heard their evidence, noted the explanations.

Sheehan scores hat-trick

Gavin Sheehan enjoyed a treble on the card when the Jamie Snowden pair of Colonel Harry and Passing Well justified favouritism either side of French Paradoxe's feature success in the 2m7½f handicap chase for Oliver Signy.

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