TRAINER James Moffatt called it the “most surprising win” of his 12-year training career as Munsaab shocked handler, jockey and punters alike at Cartmel.

The locally-trained mount, running for the first time in 799 days – two years and two months – pulled off a 20/1 upset in the Rowleys Catering at Cartmel Handicap Chase.

Munsaab has been with Moffatt’s Pit Farm Stables team for just two-and-a-half months, having been out of action with a superficial leg tendon issue and having been rehabbed successfully by Claire Hart.

He was put in over three miles at the insistence of Mark Scott – a new owner for Moffatt and, who previously ran Ely Brown in the Grand National – and the gamble paid off in spades, leaving the trainer and his team with mouths agape in the winners’ circle.

Henry Brooke took the seven-year-old to the win, always paying close attention at the front and moving ahead four flights from home, opening up a seven-length lead by the last and extending it on the long run-in.

Few had predicted a victory for the combination, much less by the easy nine-length margin, with Brooke saying: “It’s caught every one of us by surprise.

“He’s done it nicely. He’s been left alone in front and he’s had an easy time of it then.

“I schooled him at home and he jumped really well. It was a learning curve for us all today and we’ve learned that he’s a nice little horse.”

Moffatt was almost speechless as he was congratulated by owners and connections, but showed his delight at the triumph, and said: “He’s been in pre-training with Claire Hart and she’s obviously done a great job.

“I felt he probably needed the run today. We would have ideally run him over two-and-half miles, because that his trip with (previous trainer) Charlie Longsdon, so the plan over three miles was to win if you can, but more importantly look after him if you can’t.

“We presumed he would go well for two-and-a-half miles, but we didn’t think he would go for three. Though you’re only looking off past form.

“I’m very pleasantly surprised to say the least. I don’t think I’ve ever been as surprised as I am with this winner in 12 years. It’s fantastic.”

Raid Stane landed the opener for trainer Julia Brooke as Ross Turner rode the 10-year-old to a 10-length success in the Racing UK Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Turner had led them at a steady pace throughout the two mile, six furlong distance and none of those behind could catch the 9/2 chance as he crossed the line for a comfortable win.

A first run for Moffatt’s new horse Follow The Pals did not go to plan, as Julia Brooke’s son Henry guided the mount in last on his hurdling bow.

Umbrellas were up by the time Martila and Brian Harding took victory in the Hadwins Motor Group Mares’ Novices Hurdle after a thrilling finish up the straight with Brian Hughes on Ethelwyn.

Early leader Bygones For Coins and favourite For Goodness Sake were left at the last as the pair streaked ahead and each took their turns at the front inside the final furlong.

Martila had the edge when it counted, pushing on for the final time and taking the win by a head.

Derek Fox rode Kumbeshwar to success in the PSR Marquees Handicap Chase, a first victory since November 2012 for the once highly-rated nine-year-old.

Fox brought him up alongside Prince Khurram inside the final two furlongs and had too much on the run-in for his rival to catch him.

Lord Wishes took the feature Oakmere Homes Handicap Chase as Nick Schofield ensured his mount came out on top in a four-way shootout after the last.

Moffatt’s pair Fantasy King and Morning Loyalty, along with early leader Alderbrook Lad – who almost unseated Jo Colliver at the water jump on the second circuit – were all involved on the run-in up the hill.

It was Lord Wishes who had the stronger finish after two miles and five furlongs, eventually opening up a four-and-a-halt length margin to claim the win in the £20,000 Class Two showpiece.

The well-backed Omid, which had come in to 5/1 from four times that in the early betting, took a stamina-sapping three-mile Racing UK in Glorious HD Handicap Hurdle, a race in which the field was strung out from the start.

Thomas Dawson held him at the front throughout, leaving Moffatt’s Maybe I Wont trailing in his wake after they had jumped the second-last together, with no-one else in the frame as he crossed the line at walking pace 17 lengths clear of Darsi Dancer. Maybe I Wont trailled in in fourth.

Wisty took the final race if the day – the Anglo Irish Amateur Challenge Handicap Hurdle, which pitted four English and four Irish amateur jockeys against each other.

John Dawson had him in front from start to finish, with Moffatt’s Boruma, under Roger Quinlan, back in second, one-and-three-quarter lengths behind.