IDOL Deputy continued his love affair with Wolverhampton for Letcombe Bassett trainer James Bennett by recording a 12th course success at Dunstall Park.
Sent off a 22-1 outsider, the 11-year-old stormed home two and a quarter lengths clear of Gabrial The Thug in an extended mile handicap under Racheal Kneller.
It was the grey gelding’s 13th career win on his 80th start – with his other triumph coming at Lingfield five years ago.
Kneller was winning on the admirable veteran for the 11th time, while his two other victories also came in the hands of female jockeys with Josephine Gordon and Kirsty Milczarek on board.
Idol Deputy last scored just over a year ago, and his latest visit to the winner’s enclosure saw Bennett get off the mark for 2017.
Fellow Letcombe Bassett trainer Mark Bradstock also struck when Step Back made a winning debut under National Hunt rules at Ludlow.
The seven-year-old gelding, who won three point-to-points in Ireland, made all the running in a three-mile maiden hurdle to hold off Forgetthesmalltalk by a length and three-quarters under Jamie Moore at 9-1.
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