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.
