UNBEATABLE Altruism stormed to a fourth Cartmel victory for trainer James Moffatt.

The six-year-old top weight followed up his triumph over fences last month with hurdling success in the Marston’s Pedigree Handicap Hurdle.

It was as easy as could be for jockey Henry Brooke, who opened up a gap before they reached the first flight and never let up until he was so close to the line no-one could catch him.

Behind him, the challengers were unable to come even close, three falling as they tried to push the pace and the five-length margin of victory only being so close as Altruism eased up close to the line.

It was the perfect 49th wedding anniversary present for joint-owner Varlien Vyner-Brooks – who along with Keith Bowron is becoming accustomed to the winners’ circle at Cartmel with this horse, who has a 100 per cent record from four runs at the South Lakes track.

For Moffatt, the triumph in the day’s feature race came surprisingly easily, and he said of Altruism, bought from Godolphin in the sales two years ago: “He’s a good horse and we knew that when we first started riding him.

“He came to us from Godolphin and they are always up-front with any niggles or issues they have had. He has a pin in his back joint, but it’s been said that makes it stronger and I think up to now he is fine with it.

“He was very good in his beginners’ chase last month and we felt we were better off coming back here, where he is three from three.

“I’m surprised at that performance. Henry has maybe got an easy lead and he has the pace to get away from them.

“He’s a good horse. I said last year when he won his maiden hurdle that I’ve trained Chief Dan George, who is very good and I’ve also trained Morning Royalty and Highland Lodge, but this lad will be somewhere near them in the ratings now.

“He goes on any ground. He’s game and he’s tough, he doesn’t know when he’s beaten. He has a lot of pace and I might buy Sheikh Mohammed a drink now!

“He’s a lovely horse. It’s easy to train horses like him.”

Brooke hailed the class of his ride, and said: “He seems to be settled a bit more now, which helps the whole time. He’s not fighting against me and we’re working as a team. Before, he was a bit racy, but now he has found his happy medium.

“Jimmy has him in great order every time coming here. Today was a big ask for him with loads of weight on him but it hasn’t seemed to bother him too much.

“He takes horses out of their comfort zone. He wins his races in the first half, rather than the second half. He is a serious bit of animal.”

First hurdles victories do not come much easier than that handed Knight Bachelor as he won the opening Jennings Cumberland Ale Maiden Hurdle.

Jockey Gavin Sheehan took his mount three lengths clear before the first flight and, despite Bingo Conti and Petapenko closing on his shoulders with three to go, pushed away with ease and took the win by 21 lengths from the former.

It was a triumph for the on-course punters, who had heavily backed his success to push him to obviously justified odds of 1/2.

There was another front-runner taking victory in the Cumbria Grand Hotel At Grange Handicap Hurdle, with Letbeso taking first, although not as easily as in the first race.

Sean Bowen had his mount up the front alongside Ueueteotl until the second last, when he moved away with Arthur Mc Bride, under Sam Twiston-Davies, and James Moffatt’s Amuse Me, which came strongly up the outside round the bend.

Letbeso led at the last and pushed further ahead, building a gap that Arthur Mc Bride and Amuse Me could not close down.

Princeton Royale made it three post-to-post victories as he took the Brown Horse at Winster Beginners’ Chase for jockey Trevor Whelan and trainer Neil King.

He went off early with David England on board Rock of Leon, but they fell at the first, leaving Princton Royale with a huge gap back to the chasing field.

The pace he set was such that no-one could catch up – the winning time of 5:04.4 was a new course record over two miles and five furlongs – though champion jockey Richard Johnson on Desoto County did come close after the last.

Whelan kept the seven-year-old in front up the straight, with two-and-a-quarter lengths the margin as he crossed the line.

Big outsider Volcanic Jack pulled off the shock of the afternoon as a push up the home straight landed the Heart North West Handicap Chase for trainer Michael Chapman.

The 50/1 shot in the 15-strong field left his challenge late under jockey Brian Harding, pushing past Larkhall – leader at the last and eventually third at 16/1 – and holding on to withstand he challenge from Emma Todd on 25/1 chance Shabach as they ran for the post.

It was a 250th jump winner for Chapman and Harding felt his mount had given everything he had in victory.

“It was hard work, because he ran off the bridle all through the race, he was only ever doing what he was able to do, but he stayed well, which was good,” said Harding.

“I felt he had a chance coming down the wood side the last time and he stayed on well.

“He pulled up a little bit stiff after the line, but hopefully it’s not too bad. He gave his all and hopefully he is okay in the morning.”

Brian Hughes rode 8/1 chance Colorado Kid to victory in the Furness Fish and Game Handicap Chase, much to the disappointment of the many punters who had lumped on Wiffy Chatsby.

Sean Bowen put the 11/10 favourite in contention up the straight, but despite pushing up the outside could not pass Hughes on Colorado Kid and finished half-a-length back.

Johnson rounded off the day with victory on board Samoset in the Jennings Cocker Hoop Novices’ Hurdle, beating Twiston-Davies on favourite Robinshill to take the win.

l Turn to pages 12 and 13 for more on the racing at Cartmel yesterday