World rule on My Way's agenda
Alan King was left far from downhearted as My Way De Solzen suffered an agonising last-gasp defeat to Lough Derg in the totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.
Returning for a race he won two years ago en-route to the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, this was very much a recovery mission after he failed miserably in two outings over fences this season.
My Way De Solzen and Elusive Dream were 15 lengths clear of Lough Derg (5-1) but began to look weary before the last and Tom Scudamore and Lough Derg took their chance and pulled away.
King said: “He and Elusive Dream have been at it from a long way out.
“He’s not been easy and it’s his first real run of the season. He’ll go for the World Hurdle and maybe back to fences in the autumn.”
Lough Derg now sits 14 points clear of Kauto Star in the Order Of Merit and is 20-1 with the sponsors for the Cheltenham race, the same price as King’s charge.
“He’s just a special horse,” said Scudamore.
“All he wants to do is keep going. I knew he’d stay on, but I didn’t think I’d win until halfway down the run-in.”
Cheltenham is also on the agenda for the David Arbuthnot-trained Oscar Park, who was flawless in the totexacta Novices’ Chase.
The 4-7 favourite was eased right down and will head for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.
Galient (evens favourite) was once second in the Queen’s Vase and on his transfer to Nicky Henderson, he faced a rather lesser task in the totesport Supports The Racehorse Sanctuary Novices’ Hurdle.
However, he applied himself nicely to pull a length and three-quarters clear when pressed.
“He’s had a little wind-op and needs to regain his self-belief, so we’ll find him another race like this,” said Henderson.
Popular veteran Tikram (7-4) collected a first victory in almost three years in the totesport 0800 221 221 Handicap Chase.
When Sporazene ruined his chance with a blunder at the tricky downhill fence on the back straight, Tikram never looked back and quickened 23 lengths away under Jamie Moore.
Moore’s trainer-father Gary said: “We had to take Sporazene on and we were only 2lb out of the handicap, which is nothing.
“He’s in three races at Cheltenham and we’ll probably go there.”
The Moore team doubled up with Trigger Guard in the West Sussex County Times Handicap Hurdle.
Lou Du Moulin Mas (1-2 favourite) was helped hugely in the Fuller’s London Pride Foxhunters Trial when Green Belt Flyer fell at the last when in front. Paul Nicholls will send the gelding to the big race itself at Cheltenham now.
Ashleys Petale (14-1), the mount of Timmy Murphy when the rider was given a lengthy non-triers’ ban earlier in the season, got his head in front for Jay Pemberton in the totesportgames.com Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.
