Hometown Boy overcame a bad mistake at the last flight to win the opening race on National day, the EFT Systems Handicap Hurdle. It was a victory which completed a notable feat by trainer Stuart Edmunds, who had also won the final race on Friday with Rowland Ward. Hometown Boy very nearly fluffed his opportunity – because having taken up the running in the back straight and moved clear of a hugely competitive field, he dived at the final hurdle and stumbled on landing.
But Jockey Ciaran Gethings was alert to the danger, picking his mount up to win by three lengths as the 6-1 favourite – from 11-1 runner-up J’Ai Froid and Tea Clipper in third.
Edmunds, who had taken the last race on Friday with Rowland Ward, said: “To be fair this was a long-term (plan). We wanted to come here, but wanted a prep run so went to Kempton beforehand.
“It was a bit of a gamble as he was also in over two and a half-miles, but we thought there were one or two more speedier types in there. He galloped through the line, though, and he couldn’t pull him up.
“I couldn’t repeat what I was thinking at the last! If he was a tired horse his legs would have gone to jelly.”
He added: “There’s nothing else for him this season and I think he’ll be a nice novice chaser next season – he’s schooled plenty over fences at home.”