There was a terrific end to the DragonBet Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las as Kerry Lee’s Nemean Lion noticed off a late problem from Anyharminasking.
A Grade Two winner up at Kelso final season, the lightly-raced six-year-old was despatched off as 3/1 joint-favourite beneath Richard Patrick.
The pair crept into rivalry, tracked all of the whereas by Jonjo O’Neill on the eventual runner-up and went away from their rivals during the last impediment.
O’Neill’s mount drifted notably away from the stands and that will have value the 14/1 shot his victory as Patrick and Nemean Lion stayed straight to win by a size and a half.
Fiveonefive completed a distant third, forward of El Muchacho and Gin Coco.
Patrick instructed Sky Sports activities Racing: “That was very clean. For a horse who tends to make some leaping errors, he was A-1 in the present day. We have carried out quite a lot of work with him.
“To return out for the primary run of the season and run like that could be very spectacular. He simply loves this recreation.”
Lee added: “All credit score to Richard Patrick as a result of he is put in a lot work with this lad.
“I wished to come back right here earlier than one thing just like the Greatwood as a result of he can take care of a smaller discipline and discover his ft.
“We’ll see what the bottom does at Cheltenham however that’d be the thought subsequent.”
Matata made a really spectacular debut over fences for Nigel Twiston-Davies, by no means seeing a rival to win eased down within the DragonBet New Web site Norton’s Coin Trophy Novices’ Restricted Handicap Chase.
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Nigel Twiston-Davies appears to have one other gifted chaser in Matata
Having pulled jockey Daryl Jacob to the entrance, the twin hurdles winner confirmed an actual liking for the bigger obstacles and left his rivals properly behind, crossing the end line 10 lengths away from Cruz Management and Manorbank.
Two very good stayers for the longer term did battle within the DragonBet Born From The Betting Ring Maiden Hurdle with debutant Mt Fuji Park getting the higher of Paul Nicholls’ Wrappedupinmay.
The winner, skilled by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by his son Jonjo Jr, was purchased for £290,000 in February and the son of Stroll In The Park confirmed a effective perspective to see off his extra skilled rival.
O’Neill Jr instructed Sky Sports activities Racing: “The second isn’t a nasty horse in any respect and our lad in all probability desires tracks like this.
“We purchased him to be a three-mile chaser however it appears like he’ll have the ability to carry out to a good stage this yr.”
The profitable coach added: “He is a grand horse and jumped very well. He is nonetheless received loads to be taught however he appears promising.
“We’ll return to the drafting board, attempt to discover a good monitor for him and hopefully he’ll enhance once more.”