Pendower the pick at Newbury

PENDOWER can enhance his burgeoning reputation at Newbury this afternoon.

Much was expected of him on his bumper debut at Newton Abbot last May and while he made hard work of it as the even-money favourite, there was still a lot to like about his performance.

A typical Paul Nicholls purchase and every inch a chaser, the six-year-old showed clear signs of inexperience on his debut, but still managed to come home a length ahead of a subsequent winner in Humbel Ben.