Meetmebythesea (9/1) became the second locally-trained winner on St Patrick’s Thursday when coming home the impressive four and three-quarter length winner of the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old Watar gelding led narrowly under Ben Jones, before being headed and pressing leader Gold Dancer. With the eventual winner narrowly ahead turning in, the leading pair pulled away from 5/1 joint-favourite favourite Regent's Stroll over the second last before pulling away.

Meetmybythesea pulled clear after the last to come home four and three-quarter lengths from Gold Dancer, with a further two and a quarter back to Regent's Stroll.

Ben Pauling, who trains the winner from his base at nearby Naunton, said: “J.P. (McManus( is a huge supporter of the industry, he’s a great man to train for and I think it means a lot to him to have winners here.

“I’ve always liked this horse. He can’t handle heavy ground, can’t go in it, but the ground was in his favour today. I’ll look forward to tomorrow now.

“He was very good - he was quick and nimble when he needed to be, he was bold when he needed to be. I don’t think I wanted him to be that far forward, but he was enjoying it - you have to leave it to jockeys like Ben - and he was really good. I’m just delighted for J.P. We’ve been training 13 years, and to have winners for people like him helps a lot.

“I was a bit deflated after the first two days, if I’m completely honest. It’s a stark reminder of how hard it is to win here, because you come with good horses… We weren’t really sighted. You arrive today thinking, golly, I hope I beat my luck today, and this was one of the darts we hoped would run well, so it was great to see it come off. I’m pleased we’ve had one before The Jukebox Man runs tomorrow.”

Ben Jones, the successful jockey, said: “It was very smooth. To be honest I didn’t want to be as forward as I was but he jumped himself there and he was travelling extremely well. His jumping all the way around was A1. Two out I thought I’d get rolling and he just got a bit deep into it, but I like the way he put his head down and came for me at the last and put it to bed. We thought he had a good chance and I can’t believe how smoothly it went.

“We were coming into this meeting with a good few chances and the first two days were a bit slow. They weren’t really underperforming but better handicapped horses were beating us. We’ve been running all year and winning races and others possibly have a little bit left up their sleeves. But it’s not all about one day. We are here for a long season and the horses have been running well. This has been coming all week, and I thought he had a good chance. I’m delighted for Ben and his team to get one on the board.”

Sean Cleary-Farrell, the jockey aboard runner-up Gold Dancer, said: “Super horse. He gave it all there today and was just beat by a horse who carried a lot less weight, I think. My horse ran super.”

Paul Nicholls, trainer of the third Regent’s Stroll, said: “You can see he wants three miles. He jumped brilliant today and he's learning all the time. I’d say it will definitely be Aintree next time and we’ll go for the race Caldwell Potter won there over three miles. We’ve always thought he wanted that, and now he’s relaxed it will make life a lot easier.

“He was just done for a bit of toe down the hill and the winners a well handicapped horse and we probably aren't. But there’s a lot of improvement to come over three miles.”

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