ALFRED WINCHAM CAPTURES NOVEMBER HANDICAP FOR ABSENT TRAINER PADDY NEVILLE

Alfred Wincham justified strong market support to win Saturday's Virgin Bet November Handicap at Doncaster, running out a ready winner of the 23-runner contest under Oisin Orr and handing trainer Paddy Neville a notable big-race success.

Sent off the 3/1 joint-favourite for the class 2 event over a mile and a half, the four-year-old crossed the line around a length clear of the 22/1 chance Too Soon, having been eased close home. The Ian Williams-trained Real Dream, a 40/1 outsider, took third, with Solarize fourth and Nobody Knows, who shared favouritism, back in fifth.

Neville was in hospital and unable to be at Town Moor to see his charge's victory, leaving others to accept the plaudits on his behalf.

A change of plan pays off

Alfred Wincham's rise has been swift. A bumper winner at Down Royal, the Irish-bred was bought in the spring by Kevin Jardine with a hurdling campaign in mind, racing for the "Alfreds Army" group of four owners. His work at home, however, persuaded his trainer to try him on the Flat instead.

That decision was vindicated emphatically at York last month, when he won by eight lengths. The handicapper raised him 13lb for that performance, but the extra weight proved no obstacle on Town Moor.

"It was pretty easy to be honest," Orr told Sky Sports Racing after dismounting.

Jardine revealed that the winner stands only around 15.2 or 15.3 hands high, a small package for a horse now carrying such big-race form. He is a half-brother to the Group performer Fanny Logan, which may go some way to explaining his talent on the level.

What comes next

No specific race has been named for the winner's next outing. Speaking for connections, Shane Hourigan indicated that hurdling plans look set to be shelved, with staying handicaps on the level the likely route forward.

"I'd imagine he'll stay on the Flat now," he said.