Highland National has its first Scottish winners

LUCY ALEXANDER and Bertie Milan made history at Perth as the partnership became the first Scottish winners of the GAEngineering Highland National, writes Gordon Brown.

Up with the pace throughout the 3m 7f marathon, the13-2 scorer saw off Ulster National hero Hidden Horizons by three lengths. Winning trainer Nick Alexander was full of praise for his daughter and said:

“Lucy gave him a great ride as he had never been this far before. The owners had to twist my arm to run as I had my eye on a three-mile race in a fortnight’s time. He’s had a break and I wondered if he’d be fit enough but clearly he was. I’ve had a few runners in this before, including the jointfavourite Papamoa last year, and it’s wonderful to finally win it.”

Lucy King’s Chorister landed the 2m 4f handicap hurdle for the second year running as he returned to form in style under Craig Nichol. Winning trainer Barry Murtagh said: “He has had a moderate season through no fault of his own as he tried his chasing and he didn’t like it. He was well treated at his best here and we might have a look at another race for him at Sedgefield.”

Dare To Endeavour made every yard of the running for Alain Cawley in the Out Of The Ordinary Investment Cup Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. Winning trainer Tom George, on the mark at Perth on Thursday, was at the sales yesterday but Cawley said: “This 2m 4f trip is as short as he wants to go and he’s a really consistent type. I ride out twice as week for Tom and that’s his 40th winner of the season.”