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14 Dec 2017

Mitford-Slade Shines on Debut with 100-1 Winner


Just another day at the office. Not really. However, Richard Mitford-Slade doesn't lack confidence when it comes to Samuel Jackson. The five-year-old pointer may have been 100-1 but that didn't stop him storming clear of the field when making his debut at Taunton 3m novice hurdle. 

Bookmakers gave horse and trainer little hope as he took on big names including Messrs Nicholls, King and Fry. 

See the full result here: 100-1 Samuel Jackson 

Richard Mitford-Slade, 52, confirmed: “It’s my first runner under rules – I got my permit only 14 days ago. This is my local track so I thought I'd run him here in the hottest hurdle I could find!

"I had a little bit on, although I’m not a gambler. I knew he was a good horse but he was training only with point-to-pointers so I didn’t know how good. He’s class, isn’t he? 

“I’ve always had point-to-pointers and thought it was time to run some under rules. The big question is what I do next with him.I’ll show my ignorance by saying I’ll have to go away and look in the programme book."

Mitford-Slade runs an equestrian business has just four runners under rules. 

Samuel Jackson, named after the actor, is a homebred. Mitford-Slade said of the name: ''My wife is a fan of the actor.''

The gelding's breeder Lucy Fielding-Johnson said: ''I can't talk. I was shouting for him. It was totally unexpected.''

Jockey Michael Nolan said: ''This is a really nice horse. That's the first time he has run under rules but rode like a seasoned campaigner.