Jockey David Parker repaid a debt to ownertrainer Michael Dun when guiding Coqui Lane to an easy victory at Ayr yesterday. He made amends with an assured performance to steer the 11-year-old, backed down to 7 to 2 from 5s, to a 14length defeat of Beachy Head.
Parker had been guilty of a monumental blunder when riding the gelding last time he ran at Kelso at the beginning of last month.
Coqui Lane had crashed through the wing of a fence after Parker had become confused over which fences were supposed to be jumped.
The jockey had tried to make Coqui Lane jump the fence after initially believing the obstacle was one that had been omitted because of the low sun.
An embarrassed Parker was banned for five days as a result of the error and left Dun fuming.
"I was that cross on the day that we did think of changing the jockey," said Dun who trains three horses under permit.
"But I've done it myself and everyone makes mistakes. So we let him keep the ride and he's given it a great ride today."
Coqui Lane was reaping the benefit of a lenient weight, according to his trainer.
"I watched the race with Jonjo O'Neill and he said he couldn't work out how I had managed to get the horse so well-handicapped," said Dun.
"He was well-in today and I had a little bet on him but maybe he won too far in the end. I just hope the handicapper will take into account that it was soft ground."
Dun believes Coqui Lane is worth pitching into the Scottish National back at the course in April.
"We're certainly going to be looking at the race now as I'm sure four miles will be no problem," he said.
Sweep Gently is another that looks capable of progressing to a higher sphere of competition.
The impressive bumper winner switched to timber with the minimum of fuss, easily justifying even-money favouritism in the Happy 40th Birthday Lesley National Hunt Novice Hurdle.
His winning margin of three lengths over Buabhall Mor could have been considerably more had Richard Guest ridden him right out.
Sweep Gently is trained by Sue Smith and her husband Harvey said: "This is a nice young horse but he thinks it's all a big game at the moment.
"He's a potential Gold Cup horse and everything he picks up over hurdles is a bonus. He might go chasing towards the backend of the season but we'll keep him over hurdles until the handicapper kills him."
Peter Niven collected a double with victories aboard Robbo (Drouthy Juvenile Novice Hurdle) and Jymjam Johnny.
Jymjam Johnny was fortunate to collect in the Glengoyne Highland Malt Whisky Novice Chase.
He looked booked for second place when Rachael's Owen, who had just struck the front, blundered at the final fence.
Peter Monteith, 49 yesterday, also scooped a double with the victories of Sunny Leith (Racing Channel Novice Handicap Chase) and Rallegio (Levy Board Handicap Hurdle).
