By Peter Moore at Plumpton Monday 20th October 2025
Former BHB chairman Sir Martin Broughton recorded a milestone 200th victory as an owner when Nardaran landed the 2m handicap hurdle on Bob Champion Cancer Trust Raceday.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, the 4-1 chance went clear approaching the final flight and, despite an untidy jump, stayed on strongly to score by nine lengths under Harry Cobden.
“It wasn’t a great bit of riding down to the last,” Cobden told Sky Sports Racing. “I think I asked him up when there was nothing there, but he’s a lovely horse and has improved a lot for the summer.”
It was a first run for the four-year-old after wind surgery and the jockey added: “I put him in my six to follow for the yard and got a few funny looks, but you can see why now.”
Broughton said: “We’ve been looking forward to this milestone and he made that look very easy. We were hopeful and I was surprised when I saw the betting this morning.”
Reflecting on his standout moments as an owner, he added: “Dodging Bullets winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2015 was the best of them all.”
Nardaran, was the first leg of the Ditcheat trainers double after Ken Roy on chasing debut defied top weight to win cosily in the 3m 1f novice handicap chase under Lorcan Williams by nine and a half lengths.
In form trainer Chris Gordon continued his excellent start to the season after taking the opening race on the card with Diamond Hunter.
Runner up in three point to points, the six-year-old pulled well clear of his five rivals to win going away by 24 lengths under the trainer’s son Freddie.
Dorset trainer Richenda Ford maintained her impressive strike rate at the Sussex track to make it three winners from her last seven sent to the track after bottom weight Noah’s Light under a positive ride from Harry Kimber to score by six and a half lengths.
Ez Tiger, has a wonderful affection for Plumpton which continued after the gelding drew clear to win by two and three quarter lengths for trainer Alex Hales.
Despite a bad jump at the final flight, the eight-year-old had enough in hand to win well under Bryan Carver.
C&D winner Alien Storm bagged another success at Plumpton by scoring in the 2m 4f handicap chase with David Bass in the plate.