Knight back on track

Henrietta Knight ended a barren spell of six months without a winner when Cross Kennon landed the bumper at Ludlow today.

Knight arrived at the track with 57 straight losers and her three runners before the final race had not broken the spell.

But Cross Kennon did just that in the Book Now For Christmas At Ludlow Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race - a race Knight has now won five times in the last seven seasons.

She said: "He won an Irish point-to-point but I don't know how long he will be in the yard.

"He is owned by Wilson Dennison and he is up for sale.

"I have heard some people on the radio being rude about me but my owners have stayed loyal to me."

Opera De Coeur ended a bleak winless run stretching more than two years to hit the comeback trail in the Racing UK For £19.99 A Month Handicap Chase.

Having his first run since being pulled up nearly 12 months ago, Opera De Coeur was involved in a terrific struggle with Our Jasper in the closing stages.

But Henry Daly's charge got the verdict by a head in a driving finish.

Daly said: "I am delighted for his owners as he is clearly over the leg problems he had.

"He was a bit keen in the early stages, which surprised me."

Kia Kaha looks a nice prospect for Jonjo O'Neill after breaking his duck over fences on only his second run over the bigger obstacles in the Oldfield Beginners' Chase.

Second on his debut at Stratford just under a month ago, champion jockey Tony McCoy was always looking confident as his partner made effortless progress.

A shake of the reins after the last saw him go three and half lengths clear of Muhtenbar.

O'Neill said of the 9-4 favourite: "I am pleased with that. Tony said they did not go any great gallop and he jumped economically.

"Apart from one mistake at the second-last, he was good."

Tragic Realm made a successful debut over timber to maintain Evan Williams' excellent record at Ludlow in the EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.

Taking up the running at the third-last flight, the 12-1 chance went clear of his rivals and was 14 lengths ahead of 15-8 favourite Quidonc at the line.

Williams said: "He has run well in both of his bumpers but he has jumped so well at home we knew he would be much better with an obstacle in front of him.

"We have no set plans for him, we will just keep him to the smaller tracks for him to gain experience."

Cresswell Willow put in a clear round of jumping for the first time this season to win the Concha Y Toro Wines Handicap Chase.

The 33-1 shot was held up off the pace until the runners turned for home on the second circuit.

He was always travelling well in the home straight but had a battle to see off the attentions of Midnight Gold and win by two and a half lengths.

Trainer Keith Goldsworthy laughed off suggestions of intense schooling sessions after her two falls this term.

He said: "They were not novicey falls - she just knuckled down on landing.

"I did have a change of tactics and I told jockey Robert Butler to hold on to her and drop her in.

"She improved all the time last season and I knew she would win races if she stood up.

"I am also delighted for Robert, who has been schooling her at home and never lost faith in riding her.

"Other jockeys might have thought twice because of her recent record."

Trainer Tim Vaughan will keep Little Shilling on the go after he made it two wins in six days in the TurfTV Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.

Successful in a seller last week, Little Shilling has been entered at Musselburgh on Friday and Towcester on Saturday.

Vaughan said: "I would like to go for both races.

"Three miles suits him. He jumped and travelled really well."

Mick Quinlan had to go to 11,500 guineas to keep Idarah (5-2) after the five-year-old was an easy winner of Clive Selling Hurdle.