West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon gave much of the credit for Somersby’s thrilling win in the BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter yesterday to former handler Henrietta Knight.

Channon took charge of the nine-year-old following Knight’s retirement at the end of the 2011-12 season.

But the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer still does a lot of work with the former England footballer’s small string of jumpers at her West Lockinge base.

And the combination paid off as Somersby (9-2) travelled supremely well for Dominic Elsworth, before holding on grimly to beat Module by a head, with Cue Card six lengths back in third.

Channon said: “Hen’s done a brilliant job and we have been using some of our Flat ground to get the jumpers fit.

“I imagine we will take it one step at a time, with the Amlin Chase (Ascot, November 23) the next port of call."

Knight, who won the Grade 2 contest on several occasions, including in 2001 with Best Mate, who tragically died following the 2005 renewal, added: “Last season was a bit of a waste of time because he had all these splints.

“So we forgot about that and Mick has been delighted with his progress this season.”