Walsh and Nicholls get treble at Taunton
Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh dominated proceedings at Taunton with a 19-1 treble courtesy of Iroquois Warrior, Robin De Sherwood and the promising Big Fella Thanks.
The latter carries the colours of Denman’s owners Harry Findlay and Paul Barber and eased home with nine lengths in hand as the 30-100 favourite in the Staple Fitzpaine Novices’ Hurdle.
And while a visit to the Cheltenham Festival this year is not a given, he could be heading to the Cotswolds in March 2009 in an attempt to capture the same race Denman stamped his class on last season.
Nicholls said: “The horse is very green and he was green in front last time as well at Chepstow.
“I stuck him in the three-mile race at Cheltenham this morning and there is a good three-mile novice hurdle at Haydock on February 16 which is also a possible.
“However, there are no firm plans and I think Paul may say we will leave Cheltenham for next year for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.”
Walsh had earlier come from the clouds to produce Iroquois Warrior on the line and claim division two of the southwestracing.com Novices’ Hurdle.
His mount touched 999-1 in-running on Betfair – with one lucky punter getting matched for £3.50 – before he pegged back Boogie Dancer to collect by three-quarters of a length.
Nicholls said: “Ruby said he hit a flat spot everywhere but the last stride!”
The champion trainer and his jockey also sent out 6-5 favourite Robin De Sherwood to oblige in the Orchard Restaurant Beginners’ Chase.
The race had developed into a duel between the five-year-old and Marcus turning towards the final three fences, and despite a couple of novicey errors the half-brother to Exit To Wave kept up the gallop for a length-and-a-quarter victory.
Winning owner Robert Ogden’s racing manager Barry Simpson said: “He does want further. We were concerned about the trip and he wants two and a half miles plus.”
Alan King, third behind Nicholls in the trainers’ championship, sent out a double which was initiated as The Hairy Lemon (13-2) battled back in willing fashion to deny 7-4 favourite Roll Along in the Deane Veterinary Centre Handicap Chase.
King said: “He was tough at Newbury but I was disappointed with him at Kempton, although it might have come a bit quick for him as he is best fresh.
“I thought we’d try the headgear and they have helped.
“I thought when we were headed halfway up the run-in that we were done but he fought back well.”
King completed his brace as Divali Princess (13-2) denied 5-2 joint-favourite Vodka Brook by a neck in the P.A.S Sound & Communications Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Commander Vic had shaped with promise last time out and the David Pipe-trained 4-1 favourite built on that to score under Johnny Farrelly in the Kiddbear Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.
Division one of the novices’ hurdle saw a straight-forward success as Victor Dartnall and James White combined to spring a 50-1 shock with Dip Anchor.
