GALLYHILL, who gave former rider Jamie Sloan a first success as a handler with his first runner at Kirkistown in November 2019, made a winning debut as the 30/100 favourite for the Nicky Henderson yard when landing the opening novices’ hurdle over an extended two miles at Newbury on Wednesday.

The 2015 Getaway gelding, who had to dig deep under Nico de Boinville to see off Robin’s Dream by one and a quarter lengths, was ridden by Noel McParlan when landing his four-year-old point-to-point in the colours of the race sponsor, Wilson Dennison. The following month he was sold at the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale for £450,000 to Henrietta Knight who was acting on behalf of the bay’s now owner, Michael Grech.