Beau blooms for Pritchard

Conditions at Haydock may have only just been raceable but that did not stop the gallant 13-year-old Ichi Beau galloping to his seventh victory over fences in the Sporting Index Handicap Chase.

Formerly a useful handicapper in the care of Ferdy Murphy, he was picked up for under 3,000gns at the Doncaster Sales by Dr Philip Pritchard.

The 'galloping doctor' dictated a sensible pace at the head of affairs and the pair stayed on better than anything else to record a one and three-quarter length success at 16-1 from Salinas.

"I picked him up at Doncaster Sales," said a delighted Pritchard.

"He was with Tony Martin in Ireland, but Ruby Walsh told me that he was such a safe jumper even I could win on him!

"I tend to buy older horses like him as you can have a lot of fun with them."

Afsoun made amends for falling in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle with a smooth victory in the bonusprint.com Champion Hurdle Trial.

Taking a definite lead in the straight with two to jump, the 11-8 favourite kept on strongly in the hands of Mick Fitzgerald to land the spoils.

Trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by Trevor Hemmings, the five-year-old drew nine lengths clear of The French Furze, with Overstrand 12 lengths back in third.

Fitzgerald told BBC Sport: "Last time was a little bit my fault, but we've learned from that fall.

"He's a nice horse, Nicky's schooled him and he's won two nice races now this season.

"He's got to step up a bit for the Champion Hurdle, but he wasn't that far behind Detroit City when at his best last year so we'll see."

Hemmings added: "I'm excited. I think today told us he is good enough to go for the Champion Hurdle. He deserves it and I'm delighted he handled the ground."