STOW horse trainer David Bridgwater was back in the big-race winner’s enclosure having saddled Dom Of Mary to a decisive victory in Plumpton’s BetGoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase on Sunday.

The eight-year-old was the 9-2 second-favourite in the hands of Caoilin Quinn for the £35,000 marathon and his in-form pilot was in no rush in the early stages, biding his time and riding his mount with supreme confidence.

Dom Of Mary gradually worked his way into a position to strike and, as the field rounded the turn for home, there was only Seamus Mullins’ hat-trick-seeking Tommie Beau left to pass.

The duo jumped two out matching strides but the momentum lay with Dom Of Mary who took control running down to the last, extending clear and ultimately romping home 10 lengths clear of Tommie Beau.

“He ran well last time and the time before and he deserved to get his head in front again,” said Bridgwater.

“It was the ideal race for him really. Any of these three-mile-plus races we will have a look at them and I always thought he would be a horse who would win a race like that, so it’s worked out well for once.

“Caoilin rides exceptionally well and I think he is a boy that will be around for a few years yet.”

Dom Of Mary is owned by one of Bridgwater’s long-standing owners in Peter Cave whose colours were carried to Cheltenham Festival glory by The Conditional in the Ultima in 2020.

The handler is now keen to give Dom Of Mary his own shot at Prestbury Park success but concedes it may have to be the Kim Muir rather than the Ultima.

“He’s been a lucky owner for us and it’s really exciting for Peter and just what the doctor ordered really,” continued Bridgwater.

“He’s won by 10 lengths off 118 so where is the handicapper going to put him? That (Kim Muir) is what I’m thinking.

“I’d love to run him in the race we won with The Conditional really but he might have to win again (to get in). He’s that type of horse, off a low weight in those big handicaps, he’s going to sneak into it isn’t he. We’ll see what’s about and it’s all exciting stuff.”

Dom Of Mary’s success continued a brilliant run for 22-year-old jockey Quinn who tasted success aboard Gary Moore’s Nassalam in the Welsh Grand National over the Christmas period.