WHILE high-quality flat racing continues apace, it is good to see some smart National Hunt horses out and winning. Two graded hurdle winners caught the eye and are worth a mention this week.

Winning point-to-pointer Tea Clipper, bred by Cyril O’Hara who is still basking in the glory of breeding Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival winner Monkfish, landed the biggest of his four racecourse successes when he won the Grade 3 Silver Trophy Hurdle at Chepstow. Trainer Tom Lacey is now facing a dilemma, wondering whether to continue hurdling with this progressive type, or to head over fences where he would seem to have a very bright future indeed.