Newbury Friday
Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)
THE Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle was won last year by Strong Leader (Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen), but despite running at least as well as he attempted to retain his title, he had to play second fiddle this time to the progressive Impose Toi (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville), who got the better of a ding-dong tussle up the straight to win by half a length.
The first two pulled three and a quarter lengths clear of Take No Chances (Dan/Harry Skelton), who did her best work late. Hewick finished fifth of the six finishers.
Impressive in a Pertemps Qualifier on his return to action at Aintree, Impose Toi was sent off the 6/5 favourite and took the step up in class in his stride. He now has the Stayers’ Hurdle as a more obvious option than the Pertemps after this win, and was cut to 10/1 by the sponsors, Paddy Power.
“He is a tough little devil,” said a delighted Nicky Henderson. “He is getting three miles and we are there now. We got out of handicap company last time and we are well out of it now and we have to continue where we are. Regarding the Stayers’ Hurdle as a long-term target, Henderson continued: “I think a stronger test would suit him better. Strong Leader is a good yardstick so let’s just see where we go.
“The Long Walk comes quite quickly, but he is a gutsy fella as he went to Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown last season so he can do the quick turnaround.”
Wendigo set for better
The Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase usually attracts a high-quality field and has been won by Denman, Bob’s Worth and Coneygree en route to Gold Cup glory.
The latest renewal looked well up to scratch, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Regent’s Stroll edging favouritism from the highly regarded Wendigo (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) at the off.
The favourite jumped superbly in front but was always going a stride faster than Harry Cobden wanted and he was challenged early in the home straight by both Wendigo and No Questions Asked (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones), and it was the latter who travelled best to take up the running with two left to jump, but he seemed to tire heading to the final fence and was overhauled by 5/2 chance Wendigo who galloped on resolutely to record a two-length win, with Regent’s Stroll another four and a quarter lengths back in third after his early exertions left him with nothing for the finish.
This looked a good renewal, with the front two both impressing, albeit Wendigo clearly the stronger stayer. No Questions Asked travelled up so strongly that connections must consider trying him over two miles, and Regent’s Stroll was too fresh but impressed with his scope for fences.
Snowden said: “He is a classy horse for sure. I think he is a hugely exciting horse to look forward to. Ben’s horse travelled through the race very well and had a little bit more speed than us, but they went a decent gallop in front.
“When Ben loomed up it looked like he had the speed and might go do us, but stamina kicked in and from the back of the last we outstayed them. It was good ground and he is a horse that stays well and would ideally want it a bit softer.
Asked about whether he might be a Brown Advisory contender in March, Snowden added: “Fences were always what he was going to be made for. There is a long way to get to that stage but he has won a Grade 2 impressively and we know he is going to be better over further.
“The Kauto Star is the logical next step, but I’ve a sneaking suspicion we are marginally better left-handed. There is always the race at Warwick [Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase in January].”
Ben Pauling confirmed that No Questions Asked will be coming back in trip, saying: “It was an unbelievable round of jumping.
“He is just too fast for two and a half miles. We will go for the Noel at Ascot in 19 days. I think he is good enough for an Arkle. We have been beaten by a proper stayer, who is a worthy winner, but I do think our one is a very good horse.”
Wodhooh for Gordon?
The listed juvenile hurdle for fillies was won in 2023 by Wodhooh and Gordon Elliott unleashed another useful prospect as Evens favourite Highland Crystal (Jordan Gainford) beat Tralee Girl (Dan/Harry Skelton) by six and a half lengths.
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott told Sky Sports Racing: “She looks like all she will do is stay. I didn’t do much with her the last few weeks, and she was a bit green today, but the further they went the better she was.
“Wodhooh is like an old-fashioned chaser, but this one looks like a flat horse that’s gone hurdling for all she is actually National Hunt-bred; she has an engine. We will look at where Wodhooh went and work backwards from there. She’s had two quick runs, and I don’t think you will see her this side of Christmas.”
Around The Tracks
EMMET Mullins does well on his forays to the UK mainland and landed a double at Kempton on Monday, where he saddled Dream On Baby to win the Listed CopyBet Mares’ Hurdle and then produced Chance Another One to beat Viroflay in the following handicap chase. Both horses were ridden by Donagh Meyler to give the pair a 15¼/1 double.