RYAN MANIA’S loss could be Danny Cook’s gain after the latter maintained his 100 per cent record for Sue Smith with a double at Catterick on Wednesday.

Grand National-winning rider Mania shocked the racing world last week by announcing his retirement from the sport for a second time.

Smith, Mania’s biggest supporter and for whom he rode the National winner Auroras Encore, was talking over the situation with the Scot’s former agent, Bruce Jeffrey, when he suggested another of his clients and Cook so far has been the biggest beneficiary.

It has been a slow start to the season for Smith but after teaming up with Straidnahanna at Newcastle on Saturday, Oorayvic (9-4 favourite) and Grate Fella (10-1) offered further evidence the tide is now turning.

Oorayvic was slightly fortunate that Irish raider Harangue, a winner at Southwell on Tuesday, came down at the last but it appeared the favourite was getting on top again in the BHEST Racing To School Handicap Chase.

Grate Fella was in the process of making a promising chasing debut at Wetherby when he tipped up but jumping was certainly the name of the game in the IJF John Oaksey Memorial Beginners’ Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s Cocktails At Dawn, one of three sent up from Lambourn for his first ever jumps runners at the track, was sent off odds on in the race Jonjo O’Neill’s Holywell used as a stepping stone to Cheltenham last season.

He tipped up down the back straight, though, and Henderson was also out of luck with his other runners on the card.

Pair Of Jacks and Doyly Carte still looked threats at the top of the straight but the latter fell, bringing down the former, leaving Smith’s charge to come home at leisure.

“That’s three from three for Sue and Harvey Smith so long may it continue,” said Cook.

“It certainly couldn’t have started any better for me.

“Their horses are always fit and have been schooled well and I’m a positive jockey I like to think, so the best way is to keep it simple, so far it has been working.

“Grate Fella has a lot of scope and will make a nice chaser. Whereas those at the head of the betting struggled with their jumping, he was great.

“He’ll get further and has a nice future.

“As for Oorayvic I reckon I had the faller covered, I was just coming at him again and jumped the last really well.

“Long may it continue like this.”

Kim Bailey provided Jason Maguire with a winner when 6-4 favourite Gallery Exhibition was unextended to win the Book Now For 28th December Handicap Chase.

It was Maguire’s fourth win in the race since 2008 but when Irish challenger Churchfield Champ tanked his way to the front there must have been a few doubts.

However, he was running on empty when making a tired mistake at the last.

Dianne Sayer’s Cooking Fat was a 66-1 winner of the Support The House That Jack Built Juvenile Hurdle.

A decent looking bumper for the course was won by David O’Meara’s After Toniight (6-1).

Well backed on debut, he looked much more streetwise under Denis O’Regan.

n Tom George warmed up for a big weekend when taking the feature Boyne Cup at Ludlow with Gorsky Island.

With £20,000 in added prize money a competitive field was assembled for the extended three-mile-one furlong contest, and 3-1 favourite Roll The Dice attempted to make most of the running.

It was just a narrow advantage he had three out and by the time they jumped two from home, the Paddy Brennan- ridden Gorsky Island (9- 2) had his head in front.

A great leap at the last more or less sealed matters, although Roll The Dice did not go down without a fight, rallying bravely to finish threequarters of a length adrift.

Slad-based George, who saddles his star novice God’s Own in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday, welcomed the enterprise of the Ludlow executive.