THE Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick produced a clear-cut winner in Ben Pauling’s Willoughby Court, who made minor errors but led all the way and came home well clear of Gayebury, with Peter Fahey’s Peregrine Run a fair third.

The disappointment of the race was 7/4 favourite Geordie Des Champs, who has a good record this season but weakened after three out and trailed in last of the six runners.