COUNT Meribel, one of the horses to accompany Jim Old when the retired trainer joined Nigel Twiston-Davies, won a dramatic Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase, recovering from a major error two out to get up again on the run-in for Mark Grant and deny long-time leader Le Breuil by a neck.

Mr Whipped and Jenkins, both trained by Nicky Henderson, were right behind in third and fourth with a couple of lengths covering the first four in a tremendous finish.

Le Breuil did everything right but Count Meribel was just coming to take him when the error shot Grant forward and half-way up his horse’s neck. To maintain the partnership and get the horse running again required jockeyship of the highest order.

“He was brilliant everywhere else but he did well to stand up there,” he said. “He battled back really well and hopefully he is very smart. This was my first winner at the track and it means everything to me. Let’s face it, everyone in the sport wants to have winners here.”

No one else has ridden Count Meribel in his racing career, Old staying loyal to Grant throughout and nothing has changed with the move to Twiston-Davies. In a race full of stories, winning owner Charles Walker, unwell for quite some time, left hospital to see the race live but was due to return last night. A similar recovery to Count Meribel’s would make everyone very happy.

THE YOUNG MASTER MAKES ALL

Twiston-Davies might have made a perfect start to the afternoon because Jameson was still going well in the opening Markel Insurance Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase when coming down two out.

Sadly his injuries proved fatal as Neil Mulholland’s all-the-way leader The Young Master, 9/2, kept on strongly to beat Station Master by eight lengths, with Walk In The Mill third.

It should be pointed out that Sky Pirate and Patrick Mullins were also coming to challenge but before being brought down by the fallen Jameson. The winner was ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, who continues to look a class act in this company, while it was a brilliant start to the weekend for Mulholland who has a leading chance in today’s feature Bet Victor Gold Cup with Kalondra.