Not For Changing (Paul Carberry) gets the better of Not For Burning© Photo Healy Racing
Paul Carberry, successful earlier on the card aboard Ally Cascade on his first ride back after nearly seven months out with an injured shoulder, completed a double when seen to great effect on Not For Changing in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.
Carberry had a relatively easy time of it on Ally Cascade but certainly proved his fitness here when galvanising the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding on the run-in.
The Overbury gelding was given a text-book patient ride by the 39-year-old to stalk Not For Burning early in the straight.
However Carberry had to get serious on the run-in, and the well-backed 2/1 favourite got up in the final 50 yards to score by a neck as the pair stretched 18 lengths clear of the remainder. Dancers Dilemma took third spot, with Getoutwhenyoucan completing the placings in fourth.
Elliott said, “I thought we might have a double (referring to Moonshine Lad #8217;s fall in the previous maiden hurdle). Paul gave him a great ride and never panicked. It’s nice to win for the lads who are all local.
“Paul has been with me from the start and it’s great to be able to give him a winner on his first day back. This horse has been knocking on the door and hopefully can win another one. It wasn’t soft enough for him the last day, and he just got took off his feet a bit.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
