Hill tops for McNamara

JP McNamara, the jockey Adrian Maguire hit with his whip at Wetherby on Wednesday, made happier headlines by winning on Man On The Hill at Haydock today.

Not only did he ride the gelding to victory in the #18,000-added One Man Novices` Chase but he also received the plaudits for taming the unbeaten chaser, who was something of a tearaway on his arrival at Ferdy Murphy`s yard at the start of the season.

The Irishman`s home work paid off as his mount, whom he had partnered to three wins at Sedgefield previously, coped well with this step up in class.

After making the early running, the 11-10 favourite fought back to lead again at the second-last fence and went on to score by 14 lengths from Errand Boy and complete a quick double for part-owner David Johnson whose Cyfor Malta struck at Newbury.

'When this horse came to us no-one wanted to ride him as he was a bit wild but he is an absolute saint on the course now,' McNamara said.

'He didn`t really enjoy the ground today but turning for home he came back on the bridle, and he skipped clear.'

Murphy`s son and assistant Paul Murphy stressed: 'This is totally down to JP. He rides him out and decides how to ride him and he gets a great song out of him.

'JP thinks he should have a break now after four wins _ but he could be a very good horse.'

Royal Tommy showed great stamina to land the three-and-a-half-mile Tim Molony Memorial Chase, staying on dourly to lead at the final fence and beat The Last Fling by four lengths.

But the 11-1 shot, making a successful return from a nine-month lay-off, is far from certain to take his chance in the Coral Welsh National over an even longer trip at Chepstow.

'It would be the ideal race for him as he stays forever but he only has 8st 8lb and he is too far out of the handicap,' part-owner Lawrie Kimber said.

Richard McGrath rode a 23 1/2-1 double on Silver Socks, who justified 5-2 favouritism in the Eagle Park Novices` Handicap Hurdle, and 8-1 shot Reverse Charge, who ended a barren spell with a gutsy three-length defeat of Another Chance in the Gordon Plant Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

The latter`s trainer Chris Grant said: 'Reverse Charge lost his form last season and we couldn`t find out why but he ran a nice race first time out at Kelso. We wanted to get his head back in front so I am very pleased.'

Toy manufacturer Alan Halsall celebrated in advance of his firm`s busiest period as his colours were carried to victory by Wonder Weasel in the three-mile Compare Odds At easyodds.com Handicap Chase.

His eight-year-old defied 12st in fine style, coming right away in the latter stages to score by 21 lengths from Mickthecutaway.

But the owner said: 'That was totally unexpected. But he needs to go left-handed, he jumped well and he did it nicely.'