Thornton bows out with a winner

Andrew Thornton enjoyed the perfect send-off to his riding career with a winner at Uttoxeter yesterday.

The 45-year-old announced on Monday he would hang up his riding boots following four rides at the Midlands track, with long-time supporter Seamus Mullins supplying three mounts while Caroline Bailey provided the fourth.

Out of luck on his first ride, Thornton made no mistake on the Mullins-trained Amirr in the Abacus Decorators “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle, travelling well throughout and looking the likely winner with three to jump.