Favourite Diamond Harry takes Newbury spoils

Diamond Harry took his unbeaten to tally to five with an effortless success in the Blue Square Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury today.

The Nick Williams inmate was sent off the 4-6 favourite on the back of an impressive display at Cheltenham last month and was travelling strongly in behind rivals under Timmy Murphy.

Diamond Harry went to the front soon after jumping the second-last and quickened away to score by six lengths from Junior.

Diamond Harry's chief market rival was the Paul Nicholls-trained Massasoit but he made a bad mistake at the second last and faded tamely.

William Hill make Diamond Harry their 7-2 favourite for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Blue Square show at 4-1, while Victor Chandler offer 5-1 from (7s) for the same race.

Williams said: "I was just worried that he'd have to make the running, but they set out to make it a good pace.

"He's much more speed than stamina and I think the Ballymore is the sensible option as he is a course-and-distance winner.

"He might have one more run and that would be at Cheltenham on January 24."