Racing: Dobbin goes to work at the double

Tony Dobbin grasped the opportunity to display his skills at Musselburgh yesterday as National Hunt racing returned after a 14-day absence. Mild weather in the east of Scotland allowed jumping to be staged for the first time since the same track hosted a fixture on 27 December.

Dobbin, one of the best jockeys in the North, has plenty to look forward later in the season with the prospect of partnering The Grey Monk in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He did his confidence no harm when netting a 50-1 double with wins aboard Triennium and Highland Park and was seen to especially good effect on the latter in a tight finish to the handicap hurdle. Six horses were still in with a chance jumping the final flight, but Dobbin kept his mount going in fine style to fend off Snow Board by a neck.

At Southwell, Undawaterscubadiva broke his duck at the 15th attempt and halted a 160-day winnerless sequence for his trainer, Martin Bielby, when winning the Buttercup Amateurs Handicap (division two). Partnered for the first time by Carol Williams, wife of the jockey Tyrone, he hit the front entering the straight and shook off the 6-4 favourite, Raindeer Quest, to score by four lengths.