DOOM BAR ANNIVERSARY 4YO JUVENILE HURDLE (GRADE 1)

J. P. MCMANUS’ famous green and yellow hoops were also seen to advantage as Defi Du Seuil, clear-cut winner of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, followed up in the Grade 1 Doom Bar Anniversary Hurdle, making it a highly rewarding day for owner and jockey.

This time the winning trainer was Philip Hobbs, who was watching the 4/11 favourite maintain his unbeaten record in Britain with a seventh straight success.

It was slightly harder work this time as Henderson’s Divin Bere kept on well after being headed before the last to be beaten only a length and a half. Bedrock took the minor honours. Hobbs was winning the race for the third time after Lord Brex and Detroit City and paid tribute to Defi Du Seuil’s toughness.

“It’s not so hard keeping one unbeaten when they’re as tough as he is,” he said. “We’ve had some good juveniles but he’d be right up there. Also, he’s not one of those to have come off the flat.

“He’s by a jumps stallion (Voix Du Nord) and I’d be very surprised if he didn’t train on.

“We don’t have to make any decisions about the Champion Hurdle just yet. It’s a nice problem to have.”

The ‘problem’ concerns Buveur D’Air, who is in the same ownership. However, bookmakers respect Defi Du Seuil’s chance and he is no bigger than 8/1 for the showpiece next March.