Thomas repays Hamilton’s Trust

Trust Thomas, a horse nearly given away, proved his doubting owner wrong with a game success under Jamie Hamilton at Musselburgh.

Trained by Ann Hamilton for her husband Ian, the nine-year-old scored for the first time in 18 months when he scrambled home by a neck from Thankyou Very Much for his Northumberland connections in the 2m handicap chase.

Ian Hamilton said: “I was going to give him to Sheila Dodds to go hunting with but then he ran a bit better to finish third at Kelso last time. The track didn’t really suit as he was flat out the whole way and he’s a horse that has been put up a few pounds on several of the ten times that he has come second.”

Rose Dobbin enjoyed the win of Lady London in division two of the 3m handicap hurdle in the hands of Conor O’farrell.

The winning trainer admitted. “This mare has had issues with her wind and ulcers. She ran with more promise last time at Kelso before she got bumped turning for home. Hopefully she can build on this.”

O’farrell, now based in the north, added: “It’s my second winner at the track as I won the big handicap hurdle on New Year’s Day 2013 on Swing Bowler for David Pipe.”

Alistair Whillans’ Apachee Prince chased home the winner but his Hawick trainer had earlier gone better when Henry Brooke-ridden Court Baloo landed the first division.

Brian Hughes had a fivetimer and two seconds here in November last year and he had to settle for a double on Canny Style and Sliver Concorde.

Silver Concorde, the 2014 Champion Bumper Hero for Dermot Weld, made a winning debutforkeithdalgleishwhen opening his account over hurdles at the ninth attempt.

The success was the 103rd of the year for the Carluke trainer who has 85 winners on the Flat and 18 over jumps. Hughes added of the six-length winner: “He was obviously the best horse in the race and Keith felt he was in good form.”