Lesling off the mark

John Quinn’s Leslingtaylor, three times a winner on the level during the summer, opened his hurdles account at the first attempt in dramatic fashion in the first division of the Beth-Hamer Philip Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Market Rasen today.

Having also had a successful campaign on the Flat this year, Indian Pipe Dream (6-5 favourite) took up the running entering the straight but as they raced to the final flight it looked as if Leslingtaylor (5-4) was travelling the better of the pair for Graham Lee.