’Hobby’ horse rockin’ for Dermot Weld

He may be more used to the delights of Royal Ascot but trainer Dermot Weld has always enjoyed the challenge of Cheltenham and despite only training a handful of hurdlers – and all of those double up on the Flat – the man who has broken boundaries worldwide is proving a dab hand at getting one right for March.

His Windsor Park emerged as a possible Ascot Gold Cup contender after striking in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Sent off at 9-2 having run well behind the favourite Nichols Canyon last time out on ground softer than ideal, Davy Russell was exemplary in the saddle, sitting just off a slow early pace before taking the box seat coming down the hill.