Trigger makes light work of fencing debut

Trigger The Light earned a 33-1 quote with Stan James for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after making a winning debut over fences in the David & Judy Shipsey Memorial Beginners’ Chase at Kempton.

The 15-8 favourite made a bad mistake early on but recovered and Robert Thornton kept him up to his work to keep Carnival Town at bay by half a length.

Trainer Alan King, who sent out a 9-1 double on the day, said: “He hasn’t done that much schooling at home as we only went on the schooling ground last week.

“It was a muddling pace which may account for his mistake at the ditch and he will learn from this.”

The brace was completed as the consistent Knighton Lad (5-2) defied top weight with a brave effort in the Nigel Clark Totesport Tribute Handicap Hurdle.

King added: “That was a good performance and he could jump a fence at some point.”

Dual Grade One winner Refinement belied her advancing years with victory in the Friends of Nigel Clark Mares Only Hurdle – run in memory of the Sunbury track’s former chairman and president who died in August.

Jonjo O’Neill’s eight-year-old kept answering Tony McCoy’s every call and squeezed through between rivals after the final flight to deny classy French import Kruguyrova a win on her British debut.

McCoy said of the 11-4 winner: “She is tough – as hard as nails – and is a good mare.”

Nicky Henderson was also at the double but his Procas de Thaix made heavy weather of landing odds of 2-7 under Mick Fitzgerald in the EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

The market leader had made a rick at almost every flight and looked booked for minor honours at best, although to his credit he stuck to his guns and got up for a three-length success.

Henderson said: “I am flabbergasted as since day one he has schooled as good as you have seen.

“It is so unlike him to jump like that and he has done well to win.”

The trainer-jockey combination were also responsible for 15-8 favourite Boomshakalaka in the following Lloydspharmacy Novices’ Chase and they enjoyed a much easier success as he raced to a two-and-a-half-length victory.

Henderson added: “He is a buzzy horse who will get a trip but I didn’t want to go any further first time out, and he can be over-exuberant with his jumping.”

Simon Elliott registered his 10th winner as the 7lb claimer steered the Jonathan Geake-trained Black Hills (8-1) home three and a half lengths to the good of 100-30 favourite John Diamond in the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase.

Elliott said: “I started with Toby Balding when I was 16 and I am now 26 which shows how long I have been at the yard!

“I am grateful to Jonathan for giving me the opportunity to ride with my claim.”

Mickmacmagoole, the even-money favourite, was denied by Rapscallion (3-1) when going under by nine lengths in the Rowan Bentall Charity Trust Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap.