Carlisle joy for Henry

Mitchel Henry put up a dour staying performance to land the News & Star Handicap Chase at Carlisle today.

Top-weight Its a Classic was in front three out and held what looked a commanding lead at the final fence.

But Wilson Renwick kept persevering on Mitchel Henry, who stayed on gamely to gain the advantage inside the last 100 yards and forged two and a quarter lengths clear.

Monteith said of the 12-1 shot: "These races are what they are - he is a pointer really and he will go up (the ratings) now and he might then toil.

"Wilson gave him a great ride. He was very positive and the race (two miles, five furlongs) will have ridden like a three-miler in this heavy ground.

"He is a nice horse, but he won't win a Gold Cup."

Renwick paid a price for his enterprise, however, and was suspended seven days (February 2-8) for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Tony McCoy was rewarded for a long journey north when Rate Of Knots (2-5 favourite) made light of her task in the EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase.

The champion jockey, who was out of luck aboard Johns Square in the opener, sent the Jonjo O'Neill-trained mare into the lead at the penultimate fence.

She was not troubled to hold off Tastes Like More by two and a quarter lengths.

Rate Of Knots carries the colours of JP McManus and McCoy said: "She is a nice mare and, at the weights, she should have beaten the second like she did."