THE Morebattle Hurdle has reverted to handicap status in recent years, but that hasn’t done any harm to the depth of field it has attracted, and the latest renewal was a cracker, with Benson kicking off the Thomson/Mania double by coming late to deny the strong-travelling Colonel Mustard (Lorna Fowler/Kieren Buckley) by two lengths, with L’Eau du Sud (Dan/Harry Skelton) third, beaten an aggregate of five and a half lengths.

The early pace was set by Patrick McKenna’s Wajaaha, who was still just in front running to the last, where he was headed by Colonel Mustard and weakened quickly, with a twisted shoe explaining his swift capitulation.