Jockey James Best rode into the history books yesterday when he partnered Britain’s longest-priced winner, courtesy of 300-1 shot Blowers, who landed the first race at Exeter in attritional conditions. The horse was named after retired cricket commentator Henry Blofeld, who is nicknamed ‘Blowers’.

Tomorrow, I am hoping the same jockey can ride arguably his favourite horse to victory at more conventional odds when he partners My Silver Lining in Haydock’s Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.05 p.m.).

This nine-year-old grey mare gave Best, who hopefully would not be offended at being described as a ‘journeyman jockey’, his career highlight when the pair won the Wigley Group Classic Chase at Warwick in January last year.

The moment was all-the-more special as the horse is owned Celia Djivanovic, the mother of Best’s wife Izzi. Both women were at the course along with the rider’s sons, Eddie and Ollie, to cheer home My Silver Lining to a game success. 

Soon to turn ten years old, My Silver Lining is definitely not the force of old and she has, in fact, run ten times since that victory almost two years ago without winning again. As a result, however, she is down to a lovely official mark of 120 and she will carry just 10 stones 3 lbs tomorrow. Soft ground and a return to Haydock where she has run well in the past are also pluses. After some poor form last season, her two runs this season have shown more promise and so back her 1 point each way at 8-1 with William Hill, paying a generous........

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