CHEPSTOW

THE Welsh National understandably took centre stage but the Grade 1 Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle held its own intrigue on Chepstow’s biggest meeting of the year.

It went to Nicky Henderson’s 8/11 favourite We have A Dream, who accounted for main rival Sussex Ranger by a length and a half and became firm second-favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. The champion trainer already has the market leader in Apple’s Shakira.

Winning owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede are on something of a role and that can only be good news for retained jockey Daryl Jacob. He took it up just before the last, Sussex Ranger having mastered Mercenaire soon after two out. The winner was ridden out to maintain a clear advantage and this was a more than satisfactory performance in heavy ground. The race is often a good guide to the Triumph, Defi Du Seuil having won both last year.

“I wasn’t expecting to see two horses quicken up from the second-last to the last and it developed into something of a sprint,” remarked Henderson. “We Have A Dream has made all the last twice and today he did it nicely from the last. He quickened up really well and I think you’ll see him out again before the festival.”

The going rate for the Triumph was 7/1 with Apple’s Shakira generally available at half those odds.