Wogan's a winner for Tinkler

And, as the presenter's self-styled 'Togs' – Terry's old gals and geezers – backed Wogan into 5-1 with an avalanche of small bets, the pressure was always going to be on his young jockey, Malton's Andrew Tinkler, to win the Doncaster showpiece on Saturday.

The 24-year-old had told the Yorkshire Post on Saturday that staying calm under pressure was one of the primary reasons why he was enjoying so much success this season – and had been tipped as a future champion by Richard Dunwoody, one of the greatest jump jockeys.

This approach certainly paid dividends in Doncaster's gruelling home straight at the end of the three-mile race and run at a ferocious pace from the outset.

Having bided his time on the first circuit – memorable for the abject performance of Possol, a Grand National favourite, who was pulled up, Tinkler got a great tune out of Wogan as he took the lead at the halfway stage.

But, as the Howard Johnson-trained Killyglen loomed large turning for home, Wogan's previously fluent jumping was put to the test as he sought consecutive victories at the track. And, as the crowd roared on Wogan with the zest shown by their broadcasting hero, Tinkler took each fence in his stride, rather than being over-ambitious, as he recorded one of the biggest wins of his burgeoning career with Killyglen second and Sue Smith's Coe a distant third.

"He jumped well but he was awkward at a few in the straight," said the winning rider, who was then narrowly beaten on Cucumber Run in the NH Flat Race by 66-1outsider Di Kaprio.

"I was very long at the third- and fourth-last but he got me out of jail.

"He got in a lovely rhythm on the second circuit and he was going so well I didn't want to disappoint him."

Wogan had been beset by injury early in his career – even enduring a 19-month lay-off – but he now seems to be making up for lost time.

And, although this was only Wogan's 14th race over obstacles, and he was favourably handicapped compared to his more experienced rivals, trainer Nicky Henderson virtually ruled out a run at the Cheltenham Festival for his 10-year-old.

"I didn't want to run him and neither did Peter Deal (part-owner) but we've been proved wrong by the man who owns 25 per cent," said Henderson.

The man who owns that quarter share, Simon Plumbly, also happens to be the man who bred Wogan. He said: "He's been wonderfully trained and wonderfully ridden because he's a horse who has had a lot of problems and I'm just very grateful to everyone.

"We've always thought he was pretty useful and you do get an extra thrill when you have bred them, I'm just glad we kept a leg of him. The man himself (Terry Wogan), came to watch him at Sandown a few years ago and I'm glad we've done his name justice."

CONDITIONAL rider Donal Devereux will endure a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a crashing first-flight fall from Flash Harrietin Doncaster's opener on Saturday.

Devereux, who rides for trainer Peter Bowen, was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he underwent surgery on cheekbone and jaw injuries.