JOCKEY Mark Flanagan announced his retirement from the saddle with immediate effect after partnering Effernock Lad to victory in the AJC Group Newcastle 80-95 rated handicap hurdle.

Both horse and jockey were without a win since dead-heating in a Navan handicap chase in December 2016 but things took a turn for the better here as Effernock Lad (9/2) made most of the running to defeat Musical Ava by four and a half lengths.