Castle Cove collects November Handicap for Lincoln-winning connections

William Haggas’ Castle Cove came from last to first to bring the curtain down on the Flat season in style in Doncaster’s Virgin Bet November Handicap.

Piloted with restraint by Jason Hart, the 4-1 joint-favourite found himself anchored in rear turning for home, but his rider soon started picking his way through the field and by the time he emerged on the scene with a furlong to run, his rivals who had been on the pace were already signalling enough.

Hart simply had to keep his mount concentrating and up to his work as he cruised home for a clear-cut four-and-a-quarter-length victory over Faye Bramley’s 33-1 chance Miss Dolly Rocker.

It was the perfect way for Haggas and owners Jon and Julia Aisbitt to end the season having also struck on Town Moor with Godwinson in the Lincoln back in March.

And with Haggas surely celebrating in Australia, it was left to Hart, crowned Cock ‘O The North earlier in the day, to pick up the plaudits in South Yorkshire, saying: “That’s a great way to end the turf season.

“Mr Haggas said if I got the first half of the race right he thought he’d have a really good chance.

“He switched off lovely, but at the top of the straight I did think I had a bit of ground to make up. There was a lot coming back, though, and when I switched to the outside he was always going to get there.

“That was really impressive and he’s probably a horse who will get further next year.

“I’ve got a good strike-rate when I ride for Mr Haggas, but I think everyone has!”

Hart explained he had suffered a family bereavement in the week.

“My grandad died earlier in the week and he was probably the one, after my mum and dad, who pushed me in the racing direction. He would have been proud to see that, I hope I can keep doing him proud,” said Hart.