Hereford Racecourse was a scene of mixed emotions as veteran jockey Brendan Powell, whose career began in 1983, retired after riding in the final race on the card, writes Graham Saveker.

The 39-year-old jockey, a Grand National winner on Rhyme and Reason in 1988 and the 1999 Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner on Monsignor, had been hoping to end on a winning note.

He was aboard the Charlie Mann-trained Radar in the final novice race, but could only finish third to Herefordshire jockey Richard Johnson on LS Lowry.

Spectators had also wished him a winning finish but were happy that his career ended without any mishap.

Powell was presented with several mementoes by the racecourse executive, including a bottle of his favourite tipple, Coca-Cola.

He rode over 600 winners and retires to begin a second career as a trainer based at Winchester in Hampshire.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy continued his good relationship with trainer Jeff King as they teamed up to win with Bit of a Snob in the two-mile novices chase, easily confirming favouritism over second-placed Smart Guy by eight lengths.

The Edwardian Selling Chase looked at one stage as though it may fall to the Mark Jackson-trained Nevada Gold when leading at the second-last fence under a usual determined ride from Richard Burton. But they had no answer at the final fence as Karenastino, ridden by Jim Crowley, swept past them to score by three lengths.

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