There may have been no fairytale farewell victory for Leighton Aspell - but he still received a winner's send-off at Fontwell after finishing second with his last ride on Itsnotwhatyouthink.
The dual Grand National-winning jockey announced 24 hours earlier that he would call time on his career, for the second occasion, at the Sussex track - where he and Nick Gifford's promising debutant were the most honourable of runners-up in the Watt Fences Ltd Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.
They stayed on well in the extended two-mile-one bumper. But ultimately, even Aspell - who previously took a brief hiatus from riding between 2007 and 2009 - could not quite help the 15-8 favourite reel in Jetaway Joey, with three lengths separating the pair at the line.
Reflecting on the end of his famous career, Aspell said: "It was emotional - as it was the last time I was going to leave that weighing room and stop doing something I had done for years, and something I've enjoyed.
Thank you to Leighton Aspell for all the support throughout your career and all the best for retirement from everyone at #FontwellRaces pic.twitter.com/LCEB40CiCP
— Fontwell Park (@FontwellPark) February 23, 2020
"I've had great support from my friends and colleagues all day, and it has been a super day.
"I'm delighted I'm leaving racing very much in love with it.
"We will have some time out, but I will always follow racing, and we will see what unfolds when the next chapter starts."
As for the horse that beat him into a valedictory second, completing a double for trainer Olly Murphy, it seems Jetaway Joey's sterling effort will be repaid by a hard-earned and extended break.
Murphy said: "He is a nice horse, and I'd say he won't be seen again this season. It is good to have another nice horse for (owner) Barbara Hester, who has been a big supporter of mine.
"The horse looked so green the first day, and he has come on a bundle since."
Notre Pari had earlier bounced back from a final-flight fall in last month's Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton to get the ball rolling for Murphy with a confidence-boosting victory in Sustain Our Sport Adopt An Ex-Racehorse Novices' Hurdle.
Leighton Aspell can only manage second on his final ride as @O_J_Murphy91's Jetaway Joey powers clear to win the @FontwellPark bumper under @AidanColeman pic.twitter.com/F69ULc2vcn
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 23, 2020
After the 4-6 favourite's half-length success, Murphy said: "He was entitled to win that. He had a horrendously bad fall in the Lanzarote.
"He was cautious over the first couple- but it was a nice, sympathetic ride from Barry Geraghty. He won nicely, and I suppose we will look at something in the spring."
Grand Sancy made a triumphant return to calmer waters too, having contested Grade One and Two races on his first three starts over fences, as he initiated a treble for Paul Nicholls - with a front-running three-and-a-half-length success in the Racehorse Sanctuary Remembers Moorcroft Boy Beginners' Chase.
Nicholls said of the 1-5 shot: "That was a nice little school around. I wanted to get his head in front and will try to pick up another race like that, get some more experience - and then look at a stronger race later in the season.
"A fast-run race over two would be fine. Aintree is a possibility, but the Future Champions Novices' Chase at Ayr could be a great race for him."
