Banbury trainer Alex Hales was delighted to register a first win for his landlord, David Allen, when Ultimatum Du Roy scored under Tony McCoy at Market Rasen yesterday.

The 18-times champion jockey brought the six-year-old home by a cosy length and a quarter from Around A Pound in the handicap chase over an extended two miles and six furlongs.

Hales, who trains at Edgcote, said of the 11-10 favourite: “We got him from France and it’s taken a few runs to get to know him.

“Much more importantly, though, is that this is the first win for my landlord.”