FEATURE jumps racing returned to Warrnambool on Saturday with A$255,000 on offer across four jumps races.

Johnny Allen went out on Try Four in the feature $100,000 Kevin Lafferty Hurdle as the $1.85 favourite but it was the locally-trained jumper, British-bred Hornets’ Nest who provided the ‘spoiler alert’ to take out the 3,236 metre feature. Ridden by Paul Hamblin for trainer James McNamara, Hornets’ Nest, a nine-year-old High Chaparral gelding, was coming off a hurdle win at Casterton seven days earlier to make all the running over the 11 hurdles before kicking clear in the straight to win by two lengths from Unique Assassin with Try Four in third.

Sixth in this race last year, no horse could make an impression on Hornets’ Nest as Hamblin controlled the race superbly. “Hornets’ Nest is a freak,” said McNamara afterwards. “He had his doubters before the race. They were saying he would not run the 3,236 metres on the heavy track. He showed them how good he is. He was unruly when we got him, believe me he’s tested me, but now I love him.

“Hornets’ Nest has given his owners a great ride so far and I don’t think it’s over. There’s a few more jump features we’ll be looking at this season.”

If McNamara wishes to stretch him to 3,900 metres the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown is just three weeks away, and the Houlahan Hurdle over 3,200 metres is on August 20th, on Grand National Steeple day at Ballarat.

ZED EM ON TOP

In the other highlight race on the card, the Patrick Payne-trained Zed Em added a third feature jumps race to his resume in his past four starts with a win in the $100,000 Thackeray Steeplechase over 3,450 metres. The winner of the Von Doussa and Brierly Steeples, who also collected the runners-up cheque in the Australian Steeple in May, Zed Em set off at a solid tempo with Nishiazabu.

Joined by I’ll’ava’alf, the trio controlled the front of the race in the ‘heavy 10’ conditions before I’ll’ava’alf stole a three-length break with two jumps remaining. Zed Em had something to chase and Brad McLean cut the corner on the final bend, risking the heavier inside ground as Braidon Small kept I’ll’ava’alf wide and covering extra ‘better’ ground.

Zed Em picked up well to win by two lengths with I’ll’ava’alf in second and Nishiazabu close up in third. “He is a little ripper,” said McLean. “His form this year has been outstanding and what can you say about Patrick Payne? He was a champion in the saddle and he is doing a marvellous job with his team of horses as well, especially the jumpers.”

Allen was in luck earlier on the card as he won the opening maiden hurdle with the New Zealand-bred Chequered Flag, teaming up again with trainer Darren Weir.

The second race on the card, also a hurdle over the same 3,236 metre course, went the way of Two Hats, trained by Aaron Purcell and ridden by apprentice Braidon Small. Fourth in the opening contest, Tom Ryan went one better to get third as Martin Kelly got his mount into fourth.