Upright Ima takes victory at Market Rasen

Upright Ima fared best from a pretty moderate bunch in the Home-Tek Lady Riders' Selling Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen today.

Pam Sly's 10-year-old is anything but a world-beater, but has now won twice in four starts at the Lincolnshire venue.

The 4-1 favourite seized control two out under Gina Andrews and stretched clear to score by 13 lengths from Hippodrome.

"She's 10lb better with a girl riding her instead of a boy," reasoned Sly.

"Gina's also a very gifted rider and has now won four races for me."

There were no bids at the subsequent auction for Upright Ima.

Robert Thornton was stood down for the rest of the day after suffering a bad fall during the Racing UK On Channel 432 Novices' Hurdle.

Thornton hit the deck at the penultimate flight when challenging Monterrico's slender lead aboard Calaficial, who in turn brought down 6-5 favourite Springfield Raki.

The incident paved the way clear for the keen-running Monterrico (12-1) to coast home under Tom Messenger.

Winning trainer Chris Bealby said of the former Geoff Wragg inmate: "I suppose we were a bit lucky, but Tom said he was still galloping (when Calaficial and Springfield Raki came to grief).

"I've been very happy with him at home, but he can be a little bit keen.

"We will keep him going on reasonable ground during the summer."

At The Money made short shrift of top weight in the Market Rasen Family Enclosure Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.

The well-supported 7-2 favourite was always close to the speed under Michael Murphy and asserted full autonomy on proceedings once the field straightened for home.

James Eustace's six-year-old, a good third at Lingfield eight days ago, was not too hard pressed to record a four-and-a-half-length verdict over Patton.

Eustace said: "He was a revelation at Lingfield last week as the ground was too fast and he was going the wrong way - he's better on a right-handed track.

"We have been schooling him over fences this season. He's really got his act together over hurdles and I think he will now jump a fence.

"We'll run him on the Flat again, but he's not a fast-ground horse.

"We'll give him a summer holiday at some stage, and then we will go chasing."