Win for Cousin Nicky

Cousin Nicky posted an impressive all-the-way victory in the cantorspreadfair.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Newbury today.

Richard Johnson sent the 7-2 chance into the lead as the tapes went up and Philip Hobbs’ charge ploughed through the mud and found extra up the straight to come home seven lengths clear of 66-1 chance Men Of Destiny.

The winner, who won two chases in the spring, was having his first start for 235 days and revelled in the rain-soaked ground.

Hobbs said: “He has always wanted it soft. He kept going all the way and I am very pleased. We have started him off over hurdles but he will back over fences at some point.”