Cavite Beta put in an extraordinary performance to win the Bennettsbridge Hurdle at Gowran today, winning on his debut for trainer Jim Dreaper and providing jockey Andrew Lynch and owners Alan and Ann Potts with doubles on the day.

The son of Old Vic took a strong hold and was soon well clear. However passing the stands with a complete of the circuit to race, jockey Andrew Lynch, who already had his hands full, had to contend with a saddle which had slipped forward.

To Lynch’s credit he kept the five year old up to his work and, while outsider Slew Charm and long absent Some Present did throw down a challenge in the straight, Cavite Beta battled well on the run-in to account for Slew Charm.

Afterwards Dreaper said “Cavite Beta won for Nicky Henderson in the past and is a grand horse.”

“Normally front runners get swallowed up here and his saddle slipped but he kept on going!”

Thomas Weekes