Sam’s the man to end top jockey at the Fontwell festival

And it was a second success of the festival for his trainer dad Nigel as he won the Black & Veatch Supporting The RNLI Handicap Chase on board 7/2 chance Brousse En Feux, holding off the 15/8 favourite Topaze Collonges by a length-and-a-half.

On a day when a big crowd packed into the figure-of-eight track to make the most of some great jump racing, late summer sun and live music, the second half of the race programme was all about the favourites.

Alain Cawley won the Clancy Docwra Supporting St Barnabas House Handicap Hurdle on 5/2 favourite Always Bold for trainer Martin Keighley ahead of Heezagrey.

That was followed by Christopher Ward taking the 4D Supporting Aair/Awaairebear Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase on 8/15 market leader Royale Knight, beating 4/1 shot Rash Moment.

And the final race of the festival, the Southern Water Supporting WaterAid Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, went 2/1 joint favourite Creepy, ridden by Ian Popham for Keighley.

Elsewhere, West Sussex trainer Lydia Richards tasted victory in the BTU Supporting Help For Heroes Handicap Chase as Marc Goldstein notched his second first-place in two days on 7/2 contender Venetian Lad.

Richard Johnson and handler Philip Hobbs were another duo to enjoy a win for the second day in a row as Uncle Jimmy - easily the biggest-priced winner of day two at 14/1 - took the honours in the Morrison Utility Services Supporting Cancer Research UK Novices’ Hurdle.

And Jason Maguire rode the Richard Newland-trained Rowan Tiger (11/4) first home in the Morrison Utility Services Supporting Cancer Research UK Novices’ Hurdle.

All in all the festival was a big success in this, its second year. Fontwell bosses want to establish it as a real feature of the start of the jump racing season.

See reaction and pictures from the festival in your new-look Chichester Observer series - out on Thursday.

STEVE BONE