Robert Widger showed he is a young man to watch over jumps this season after a thrilling win on Coolteen Hero at Plumpton yesterday. The 19-year-old Irishman sent Robert Alner's gelding into the lead after two fences in the M Bowen Construction Handicap Chase, but the partnership was headed two out.

However Widger drove the top weight up the hill to beat Quango and Ambleside by a neck and three parts of a length.

Alner said of 7lb claimer Widger, who is based with Philip Hobbs and has now ridden nine winners: "He gets horses jumping so well and I thought our chance had gone when we were only fourth at the last."

Widger is bred to be a jumping star. His great uncle, Joe Widger, won the Aintree Grand National on Wild Man From Borneo back in 1895.

Meanwhile Tom Dascombe, who rode Northern Saddler in the race, was banned for four days (November 11th-14th) for using his whip with excessive force.

Grosvenor, ridden by Richard Dunwoody, took the Chailey Novices' Handicap Chase by 11 lengths from Eagle Storm after leading six fences from home.

Grosvenor was making his first appearance for 525 days, having had leg trouble since joining Paul Nicholls from the late Gordon Richards's stable.