Stormez eased down to win

Stormez proved again just what a tough nut to crack he can be as he held off all-comers to win the opening contest on a top-notch card at Newbury today.

The 6-4 favourite took up the running on the home turn and was eased down in the final strides by Tony McCoy to beat Ask Henry by three and a half lengths in the TFM Cyntergy Novices’ Chase.

Trainer Martin Pipe is now eyeing the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival as a possible target for the six-year-old gelding, who also has an entry in the Martell Cognac Grand National in April.

Coral cut his ante-post price for the National Hunt Chase to 9-2 from 6-1.

“He is only small but he’s a real trier and he jumps well,” said Pipe.

“He’s 9-2 for the National Hunt Chase? Is that the race in which he is best in at Cheltenham? If so, then that would probably be on the agenda. We’ll look at Aintree after that.”