Shinnhill a ready winner for McKnight

Nicely-backed Shinnhill enjoyed himself in the Cosy Roof (C&G) Maiden Hurdle as he posted a clear-cut success over the extended 2m1f.

The 7/2 shot tracked throughout and went on approaching the last. He readily asserted on the run-in to score by a widening nine-and-a-half-lengths. Southey (8/1) finished second and was three-parts of a length up on Strictly Tango (25/1).

Jockey Alex Harvey said: "A nice horse and a credit to Neil (McKnight, trainer), he has done a great job with him. He had him in 100 per cent form today and he picked up well.

"We did fancy him especially with the Crawford horse (Step Out) running yesterday. It really opened it up for us.

"I had a dream run around and it couldn't have gone much better. He jumped like a buck and travelled - coming to the last I had a double-handful. I thought they'd come back to me as we did go a good oul lick. Once I pulled him out, he is a horse that can be keen at times, he just came alive and it was a matter of how far.

"Definitely (improvement in him) - it wasn't the strongest of contests, but he won pretty well and could be seen here again before it finishes up.

"I sat on him in work a few times and always gave us a nice feel. Bit disappointing here the last day, but there were a few issues."