Straw Bear can stake Cheltenham claims

STRAW BEAR can advance his Cheltenham Festival claims with another success in the first division of the Westenhanger Railway Station Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone today.

Bought out of Mark Prescott’s yard by JP McManus, the five-year-old gelding was sent to Nick Gifford for schooling over hurdles and the trainer had clearly done a thorough job as Straw Bear routed his opposition at Leicester three weeks ago.

Never far off the pace, he took up the running two out and easily drew clear to score by seven lengths with 129-rated Acambo, who was conceding 8lb, a further length back in third.