Thornton proves a Topper for bookies

Bookmakers were smiling after the Porter & Co. Beginners Chase as Topper Thornton took full advantage of the last fence blunder of Noble Endeavor to score at odds of 14/1 under Adrian Heskin.

The odds-on Noble Endeavor appeared the more likely winner as the pair were in the air together at the last.

However the 4/5 chance blundered and stumbled badly on landing, and eventually went down by two and a quarter lengths to the Colin McBratney-trained winner.

The pair pulled 18 lengths further clear of Quickasyoucan in third, while Marinero (5/2) weakened two out.

There was further drama before halfway when the leader Bonny Kate blundered and unseated Ger Fox.