Easterby on a high after Hawk swoop

Yorkshire toasted its first Cheltenham Festival winner of the week when Hawk High swooped in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Easterby on a high after Hawk swoop

Trained in Great Habton by Tim Easterby, the Trevor Hemmings-owned four-year-old sprang a 33-1 surprise under Brian Hughes.

Hughes had been criticised in certain quarters for his ride aboard Attaglance in a Listed race on Tuesday, but timed things nicely here.

Clarcam’s fall two flights out caused plenty of mayhem, a consequence of which saw Orgilgo Bay gain a definitive lead.

But Hawk High was not to be denied as a tidy jump at the last sealed the deal.

Katgary, who had been hindered by Clarcam’s fall, stayed on to take second spot, three-quarters of a length in arrears.

Orgilgo Bay was third, while Keltus was also a slightly unlucky fourth. Easterby said: “Delighted. It’s the best place in the world to have a winner.

“He’s a very decent horse and he needs a confident ride. He won on heavy at Warwick but he didn’t seem to handle anything right at Haydock. I don’t know why.”

Hemmings said: “The jockey suited the horse. We were delighted to get Brian Hughes, who rode him very well.”

Josh Hamer broke his collarbone when he fell from Akdam, who had to be put down.

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