Celestial Halo slips up on chasing debut

FORMER Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo was denied the perfect start to his career over fences as he fell four from home in a dramatic conclusion to the Best Mate Beginners’ Chase at Exeter yesterday.

Celestial Halo was galloping comfortably alongside Rougham but judged the first in the home straight incorrectly and came down, while there was another immediate twist when Rougham fell independently at the same obstacle.

It is a race Paul Nicholls had a formidable record in, and he is one of many trainers to feel the Haldon circuit is an inviting one to introduce horses to the discipline.

But the fences clearly have teeth as they have caught out Celestial Halo’s illustrious stablemates Kauto Star and Master Minded in years gone by.

Once the 1-4 favourite and his nearest market and actual rival had tumbled over, Diamond Brook and Jocheski transformed from minor place contenders into ones with a winning chance, and it was the former who snatched the prize by a head.

Celestial Halo’s jockey Ruby Walsh said: “He was jumping super before that, but he just got on top of it. It’s better he did it then than in the Arkle.”

Although the 2008 Triumph Hurdler was fine afterwards, Nicholls naturally had some concerns. “It’s not ideal,” he admitted.

“I’ll have to talk to (owner) Andy Stewart and see what we do. Plenty of good ones have fallen on their debut and we still have the option of going back over hurdles.

“I’ve slightly had it in the back of my mind that he’s by Galileo and he’s not chasing bred.

“He has always been very fast over his hurdles but he might not take to fences. We’ll see.”