Mulholland makes winning return
Neil Mulholland made a dream return to action after a seven-month spell on the sidelines with victory aboard Storymaker at Carlisle.
Mulholland was out of luck aboard Joshua’s Gold on his first ride of the day but was soon enjoying the taste of success in the WBXtriplecrown Handicap Hurdle.
Storymaker was sent off an 11-1 chance and despite being headed at the last, Sandy Foster’s charge rallied in style to get the better of Etched In Stone by a length.
Mulholland was initially sidelined for three months by a double fracture of his collar-bone sustained at Perth in May.
However, just days after returning to action, Mulholland broke his leg when he was kicked by a horse at trainer Paul Keane’s yard.
The jockey said: “It is great to be back and with a winner too. It has been a most frustrating time but that’s racing.
“I haven’t wasted my time though, I moved house and have been doing it up so I have become a DIY expert.
“I am very pleased for Storymaker’s owner Mr Crichton as he hasn’t been very well but he will have watched the race on TV and it will have given him a boost.”
Howard Johnson maintained his fine run of form at the track when sending out Moonhawk, Akilak and Oh Pickles to bag a 844-1 hat-trick.
Moonhawk caused a minor shock when seeing off his better-fancied stablemate Checkerboard in the opening WBX.COM World Bet Exchange Maiden Hurdle.
The 25-1 shot came home nine lengths clear of Sinatas with 4-5 favourite Checkerboard only third.
Both horses are owned by Graham Wylie, who said: “That was a surprise, but Howard said this morning that Moonhawk would like the ground (heavy, soft in places) but he was not sure about Checkerboard.
“He (Checkerboard) was our first choice and he was a bit disappointing – he probably did not like the ground.”
Akilak (6-4 favourite) made it a double after seeing off Stagecoach Diamond by half a length in a thrilling finish to the WBX.COM Novices’ Chase.
“I have lost a few quid on him in the past so I am thrilled to see him win. Denis (O’Regan, jockey) told us beforehand what he was going to do and he rode him exactly as he said,” said former England striker Alan Shearer, who is one of Akilak’s three owners.
Johnson’s assistant Ray Hawkey added: “He has been knocking on the door so it is good to see him win again.
“I am pleased for his three owners, the two Alans (Shearer and Shields) and David (Fulton). They are good supporters of the stable.”
Christian Williams was suspended for one day (December 10) for using his whip with excessive frequency on Stagecoach Diamond.
Oh Pickles (12-1) completed the hat-trick when lifting the WBX.COM European Breeders Fund “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Hawkey said: “Howard is busy at home, but he said he thought we would have a good day if our horses handled the ground.”
Jonjo O’Neill teamed up with jockey Richard McGrath to claim the featured Ashleybank Investments Handicap Chase with Vedelle.
The 6-1 chance came home a length and three-quarters clear of Sharp Belline in a race that saw conditional Gary Berridge pick up a seven-day ban.
Berridge will be out of action from December 10 to 16 inclusive after the stewards found he had failed to dismount Numero Un De Solzen who had gone lame after being struck into.
Richard Lee made his first visit to the course for eight years and his presence was significant as Lago (8-1) showed the way home in the OG’s Racing Club Northern Tour Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Ashley Bird.
