Creek pleases Chance ahead of Champion bid

Flame Creek pleased connections in a workout in Lambourn on Saturday as he continued his preparation for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

But trainer Noel Chance is under no illusion about the task facing his progressive seven-year-old, who has won his last four starts over hurdles, at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

“I worked Flame Creek on Saturday morning and he worked really well on an all-weather gallop,” Chance told attheraces.

“The prerequisite for him is good ground. If he gets good ground he’ll run a big race but I have to say having watched Rhinestone Cowboy win at Wincanton I certainly would respect him.”

William Hill make Flame Creek a 12-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle with Rhinestone Cowboy the 3-1 favourite.

Chance has another improving performer in his care in the shape of Murphy’s Cardinal, who extended his unbeaten sequence to four in the Ascot United Football Club Novices’ Hurdle at the Berkshire track.

Murphy’s Cardinal won a bumper on his debut followed by victories in novice events and was tackling three miles for the first time at Ascot, where he kept on to beat By Degree by three and a half lengths, earning a step up in grade.

“After his first race he started to work well and show us plenty but we were surprised he won his last two races so easily,” Chance revealed.

“Our fella ran a bit free at Ascot but they just went so slow early.

“I was going to take him to Haydock for a two mile, seven Grade Two on March 1 but the jockey came back and told me that he wasn’t quite sure he stayed three miles so I might have to revise my plans.

“He had a hard enough race and I might give him a bit longer and try and find him a Grade Two over two and a half miles.

“It takes a special horse to win with two penalties at Ascot and I think he deserves to take on better opposition.”