Peddlars Cross win the Neptune

Jason Maguire, who has developed into one of the top riders in Britain over the last couple of seasons, guided the former point to point winner Peddlers Cross, to a gutsy success in the Neptune Investments Hurdle.

In what was a dramatic race, Quel Esprit fell at the second and Sleepy Hollow was in the process of running a big race, until he ran out at the second last.

But the winner, who is trained by Donald McCain, won well and was always holding the effort of Reve de Sivola, with the favourite Rite Of Passage, appearing not to see out the trip, back in third spot.

It was a second success in this race for Maguire, who was on board Galileo, when the pair won this contest back in 1992.

McCain said: "After he won his novice hurdle at Bangor, Jason got off him and said he was the best horse he'd ever ridden.

"I had to ring him up on the way home to double check what he'd said as I didn't want to question him straight after, but he's a machine.

"He did a piece of work at Bangor last week that scared me to death - it was mind-blowing.

"We were scared he'd run too free but although he ran with the choke out a bit for the first mile, he's missed a hurdle down the far side and that settled him.

"Jason has given a peach (of a ride) as well.

"We were thinking about the two-and-a-half-mile race at Aintree as the obvious next step but there's no rush, we'll get him home and take it from there."

Maguire added: "I'm absolutely delighted. We walked the course this morning and, fair play to Donald, it was his decision to go over two miles and five (furlongs).

"The horse showed plenty of gears over two miles in soft ground and some thought this might be a bit far for him, but he's done it well.

"If I'd got beat I would have said I sat too long, but he's just a fair horse."

Dermot Weld said of the third-placed Rite Of Passage: "I'm very pleased. You'd always like to win, but he ran a very good race and was beaten by two very good horses.

"He's now more likely to have a Flat campaign, and you would hope by the end of the year he might make his way Down Under (Melbourne Cup)."