Besh Bash for Jacob

Daryl Jacob partnered his first winner at Sandown as he executed a positive ride aboard Beshabar in the EBF Sunderlands “National Hunt” Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final.

The jockey had experienced 14 fruitless mounts at the Esher venue in recent years, but that all changed as the Nick Williams-trained 9-1 shot made the most of his handy position to collect by a length.

Sovereign King came from out of the pack to take second while Tot O’Whiskey weakened into third having travelled up well alongside the winner entering the home straight.

Williams said: “We gave him a positive ride and it has worked out well. That is it for this season and he will make a smashing chaser next season.

“He was in the Albert Bartlett with Lodge Lane and Carruthers but his form falls a long way short of that.”

Tony McCoy finished fifth aboard Rapid Increase on his first ride back since fracturing two vertebrae in a fall two months ago.