Voy Por Ustedes impresses at Wincanton

Voy Por Ustedes impressed the majority of the layers as he extended his winning sequence over fences to four with a slick display of jumping in the Blue Square Casino Novices’ Chase at Wincanton.

In a race which only ever concerned the 10-11 favourite and his market rival Hoo La Baloo, Robert Thornton’s mount jumped to the front at the cross fence four from home and gradually forged clear.

Thornton had his only anxious moment at the last when his mount was a bit awkward but the combination were well on top and looked value for their two and a half length margin of victory.

Revealing that Voy Por Ustedes would now head straight for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham, for which he was cut to 8-1 from 14s by Blue Square and to 10-1 from 12s with Ladbrokes, William Hill and Stan James, winning trainer Alan King said: “It’s a blessing they raced today because he’s been pretty volatile over the last few days itching for a race.

“We gave him a break through January with a view to having one outing before the Festival, but when Warwick was called off last weekend we were running out of options.”

Hoo La Baloo remains a 20-1 chance for the Arkle with Hills and there was no disgrace in this defeat considering he was giving 3lb to the winner while they will meet at levels in the Arkle.