Arctic Gold lives the dream for Humphries

Tom Humphries enjoyed a notable success after making his first ride at Sandown a winning one in steering Arctic Gold to glory in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

The 23-year-old showed the calmness of a much more experienced rider to capture the extended two-mile-seven event and get the five-year-old off the mark for the campaign.

After moving on between the final two flights the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained 11-4 shot passed the post a length and three-quarter lengths clear of Some Kinda Lama.

Humphries said: "To have a ride on Tingle Creek day and having a winner in front of a big crowd is what you dream about growing up. It is absolutely brilliant.

"He travelled nicely the whole way round and I knew I had to hold on to him as long as I could, as you have to stay the three miles in soft here.

"He got a little bit tired, but I still can't believe it has happened."