Tazbar triumphs as Kim flops

Tazbar showed a willing attitude to win the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle as odds-on favourite Khyber Kim disappointed at Doncaster.

The Nicky Henderson-trained latter headed the ante-post markets for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after winning on his National Hunt debut at Newbury in December.

But he was in trouble some way from home in this Grade Two event as Tazbar (100-30) and Whiteoak (25-1) fought out the finish after jumping the last together.

It was the former who prevailed by the narrowest of margins, with long-time leader Osako D’Airy a further two lengths away in third.

Of the winner, Reveley said: “He’s really a three-mile chaser because he jumps well and stays well.

“I’m not a big fan of Cheltenham so we might look at the Grade One at Aintree with a couple of races before that.”

Meanwhile, a baffled Henderson said: “That was not the same horse than at Newbury.

“He travelled turning in but was very flat two-out. There are no excuses.”

Stan James eased Khyber Kim to 12-1 from 6s for the Supreme, while Paddy Power removed Henderson’s charge from the market.