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NOVICES’ HANDICAP

CHASE (LISTED)

FOLLOWING a career that has yielded classic winners, Group 1 triumphs and many Royal Ascot victories, Mick Channon struck on jump racing’s greatest stage for the first time as Mister Whitaker and an inspired Brian Hughes edged another tight finish.

A second winner of this race in three years for Hughes, Mister Whitaker scraped in at the foot of the weights for this compressed handicap following his victory at the track in late January. That last triumph ensured that the Court Cave gelding was among the market leaders at 13/2 and he improved again to edge out compatriot Rather Be.

Hughes was at pains to deliver his mount late and he waited until after the last before asking Mister Whitaker to tackle the Rocklander and Rather Be.

The last-named was especially game and his tenacious effort ensured that victory still hung in the balance in the final yards but at the line the Channon runner held the call by a head.

“It was a perfect ride and the horse jumped so well. I’ve loved the horse from a young age because of his jumping and he is just an athlete,” declared former trainer Henrietta Knight, who assists Channon with his jumping string. ”It’s great for Mick to have a winner here. He is my next door neighbour and one of my closest friends.”