'She should've never been that price' - 80-1 winner ends jockey's 615-day drought

Jockey Daire McConville ended a 615-day wait for a victory when Springs A Girl caused an 80-1 shock in the opening 2m6f mares' maiden hurdle.

The rider had been on a losing run since February 2023, but was back in the winner's enclosure after the Martin Keighley-trained rank outsider prevailed by a length and a quarter.

"She should've never been that price," Keighley said. "We bought her after winning a bumper in Ireland and really liked her run at Cheltenham, when she stayed up the hill strongly to be midfield. My horses were sick when she ran at Catterick so we put a line through that. 

"On her first two runs she should've been a 5-1 chance, not 80-1! She hit the line strongly and there's more to come."

Keighley also hailed McConville's determination during his barren spell, and Springs A Girl was the jockey's seventh winner in Britain.

The trainer added: "Daire joined us this season and he's such a good lad. He's a proper grafter and deserves all the chances he gets. He's a great rider as she's not easy and he'd been schooling her very well too."

Landmark day

Chad Bament celebrated his first winner under rules on Juggernaut in the 2m2½f handicap hurdle.

The 10lb claimer was opening his account on his tenth ride, guiding the Anthony Honeyball-trained five-year-old to a seven-length success.

Classy chaser

Last season's Betfair and County Hurdle runner-up L'Eau Du Sud made an impressive debut over fences in the 2m3½f handicap chase, despite banking one of the obstacles.

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