Jonniesofa defies absence to make winning chase debut for Dobbin

Grade 2 novice hurdle winner Jonniesofa defied a 587-day absence to make a winning chase debut for an emotional Rose Dobbin.

Asked why the seven-year-old's gutsy win meant so much, Dobbin replied: "We all love him, just because of what he did for us. That was our biggest win, a Grade 2 at Haydock, and it's very special to get him back."

Jonniesofa's big win in February 2016 came over two miles seven furlongs on heavy ground and the excellent Craig Nichol put his mount's surplus stamina to good use over the two-mile trip, and was rewarded with a fine round of jumping.