Bailey blazes to success

Alan King delivered a knockout punch when saddling Blazing Bailey to outpoint the heavily-backed favourite Desert Jim in the opening race at Fontwell.

Desert Jim was sent off a 5-4 chance to take the prize for Francois Doumen while Blazing Bailey was an easy to back 11-1 shot, due to King’s fears that he would dislike the testing ground.

However, as they turned for home, Blazing Bailey and Robert Thornton took command in the bet365 Call 08000 322 365 Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle and ran on for a 13-length win from Desert Jim.

King said: “Aidan Murphy bought him for the owners and he was a stayer on the Flat.

“He took to jumping well when he came to me but my big worry was the ground as he’s never encountered anything like this before.”

King was hesitant to put his winner forward as a Cheltenham horse, and added: “I’d be surprised if he’s good enough but we’ll get another race into him so that we can find out.”