Trainer Heather Main's Island Brave (15-2) lived up to his name as he battled to a second successive victory in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap at at Haydock Park on Saturday.
The eight-year-old, under an inspired ride by Gina Mangan, bravely hung on to repel Charging Thunder (17-2) and score by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Mangan sent Island Brave straight to lead in the extended 1m6f contest, but they were joiend by Amtiyaz and Hollie Doyle as the pair moved well clear of the pack. The latter then went ahead on the turn for home and the pair had a real battle through the next two furlongs with the rest of the field slowly closing in.
Island Brave saw off Amtiyaz but looked a sitting duck for the closers. But under a fine drive from Mangan, the veteran stayer claimed victory from Charging Thunder. The 85-40 favourite Euchen Glen, who had been in rear for much of the race, closed late on but could never get near the first two and was two-and-a-quarter lengths down in third at the line.
Island Brave has been entered in next week's Doncaster Cup and could bid for Group Two glory if he is over his Haydock exertions.
A delighted Main said: "Gina, quite rightly, because she had studied his races said we have got to start rolling a bit earlier. But when they really starting to pick it up, I thought ooh... But I kept thinking that is fine because we needed to keep rolling. But they kept coming at him and he is just so tough. I am delighted.
"Gina did all her homework and she follows instructions to the tee. And she obviously has good fractions in her head and I think she is a real up-and-coming jockey."
The trainer added: "This morning I entered him for the Doncaster Cup (at Doncaster next Friday, September 9) and we will see how he comes out of this and see how we go.
"It is starting to roll. We are doing well and it has been a good year (for the stable)."
