Menorah survives last fence scare at Taunton

MENORAH’S brief chasing career continued with its fair share of incident as last season’s Champion Hurdle fifth survived a scary moment over the final fence at Taunton yesterday.

Jockey Richard Johnson and the 1-4 favourite experienced crossed wires as they attempted to negotiate the last, but as he was so far clear of his two opponents, it scarcely mattered.

Menorah had unseated Johnson under similar circumstances on his chasing debut at Exeter and trainer Philip Hobbs decided to switch him back to hurdles only to see the six-year-old relinquish his title in the International at Cheltenham when only fourth.