NEW stable jockey Jonathan Burke landed his first double for Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon with a brace of wins aboard Vivas and Midnight Shot at Uttoxeter.
The 21-year-old Irishman got 4-1 favourite Vivas home by a length from Zig Zag in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle.
And he completed a 41-1 double for Hull Farm Stables by making much of the running on 15-2 chance Midnight Shot in the feature handicap chase over the same trip, before holding off Petrou by two and a quarter lengths.
It was Burke and Longsdon’s third straight win together after the Stow-on-the-Wold-based jockey had given Azure Fly an inspired ride to triumph at Newton Abbot.
The nine-year-old gelding looked to be struggling some way from home in a three-and-a-quarter-mile handicap chase, but Burke kept persevering.
Azure Fly was still only third jumping the last fence, but Burke conjured up a powerful late run from his mount to pip Strumble Head by a length.
On the Flat, Andalusite (12-1) bounced back to winning ways for Chastleton trainer John Gallagher with a two-lengths victory in a mile handicap at Brighton under Fergus Sweeney.
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