THERE were no hefty bets on course recorded when Philip Hobbs’ Defi Du Seuil started favourite backers off on the right foot in the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Juvenile Hurdle. With two non-runners, including the widely-touted Charli Parcs, and only four lining up, J. P. McManus’ horse started at 1/5 and coasted home from Rainbow Dreamer.

Hardly anyone would have considered those odds after seeing his hurdling technique at Chepstow but he jumped better for Barry Geraghty here and remains unbeaten over hurdles since arriving from France. He went into last week’s race as favourite for the Triumph and now heads straight to the festival, where he will face much stiffer opposition.

WHOLESTONE’S STAMINA

Nigel Twiston-Davies has been known to go through a quiet spell in mid-season but not this time. His Naunton stable remains in excellent fettle and 11/4 favourite Wholestone ran out a thoroughly deserving winner of the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Classic Novices’ Hurdle.

Already a winner twice at Cheltenham, including over three miles, Wholestone was certain to make stamina his trump card and Daryl Jacob let him stride on from the fifth.

Occasionally sketchy afterwards, he seemed to enjoy the long slog from the last (normally two out) and galloped on to beat William Henry by three lengths.

Twiston-Davies now has the enviable task of deciding between the Neptune and the Albert Bartlett next month.