Hib earns winter ticket
Hibiki booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival as he just held off the late surge of 33-1 shot Prince Du Beury in the Alfa Aggregates Products Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow.
Richard Johnson nipped round the inner on the 10-11 favourite but after leading over the third-last he had to get serious with Philip Hobbs’ runner to fend off the outsider by a neck.
Hobbs’ assistant Tim Dennis said: “He did that well carrying a penalty. We put him away after his last win over the course and distance to wait for better ground.
“He has the option of going to Cheltenham now for the Fred Winter and there is no reason not to go as he has plenty of experience.”
VC Bet make the winner a 16-1 chance for the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle.
