Bring Sweets gets just desserts

Bring Sweets opened his account over obstacles in an eventful Rachel Wright Memorial Hurdle at Wetherby today.

Brian Ellison's 11-2 chance was twice placed at Market Rasen during the summer, and Fearghal Davis always appeared confident as he settled his mount off the pace.

Long-time leader Danceintothelight appeared to have his rivals in trouble turning for home, but he came to grief at the second-last, leaving Bring Sweets and Makbullet to fight it out.

The former was always travelling the better of the two, though, and quickened up best on the run-in to score by three and three-quarter lengths.

"He'd run twice over hurdles before and ran well both times, but hadn't quite got home at Market Rasen," said Ellison.

"He's a horse who travels well and jumps well, so we knew this track and the ground would suit.

"Maybe he was a bit lucky with the horse falling in the straight, but Fearghal said he was still cantering at the time anyway."

Pistol Basc kept up his fine record at the track with a battling success in the Get 20% Discount Online @ wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Chase.

Ferdy Murphy's gelding has now won twice and been placed a further three times from six starts at the West Yorkshire track and travelled kindly on the heels of the leaders throughout under Paul Gallagher.

Archie's Wish up a bold show from the front but a slight mistake in the home straight opened the door for Pistol Basc as the 7-1 shot quickly took command, passing the post with six lengths in hand.

David Parry, racing manager for the owners DPRP Pistol Partnership, said: "He is what he is but he likes it here and always tries his best.

"The partnership was coming to an end in the summer but we decided to hold on to him as he's a nice, fun horse.

"He's not going to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he'll win races."

Maska Pony continued his excellent run of form with a game display in the totesport.com Handicap Hurdle.

The 9-2 co-favourite was eyeing up a hat-trick following victories at Cartmel and Sedgefield and was immediately sent to the front by Graham Lee.

The grey looked in trouble when the well-supported Amazing King came to challenge in the straight, and the latter even hit the front on the run to the final flight.

But Maska Pony came back for more and got the better of the argument by half a length.

Winning trainer George Moore said: "He's a horse who has always worked well and I thought he would win a bumper, but that never came off.

"I know why now as he has grown up and matured a lot since then and I hope that he can still improve a bit more.

"He'll probably have one more run and then we'll throw him out for the winter as he wouldn't want soft ground and we'll bring him back in the spring."

Trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie took the Bobby Renton Handicap Chase for the third year in succession as Drever Route came out on top in an exciting finish.

The 11-4 shot jumped accurately throughout for Timmy Murphy and although Film Festival proved a tough nut to crack, Drever Route eventually got on top for a one-length victory.

"Timmy said he's a lovely horse with a high cruising speed and he jumps well," said Wylie.

"He tends to stop when he hit the front so he needs to produced late.

"We'll see what Howard says before we make any plans."