Maktu keeps National dream alive

Pat Murphy will bid to realise the dream of the late George Palmer with Maktu after the seven-year-old outstayed his rivals in the Lingley Caterers Handicap Hurdle at Hereford.

Palmer harboured ambitions of seeing his pride and joy run in the John Smith’s Grand National, and Murphy believes the world’s most famous race could feature on Maktu’s agenda in the future.

The 17-2 chance had to stay every yard of the three-mile-two-furlong trip under Wayne Hutchinson and just held on from Jonjo O’Neill’s The Very Man and 7-2 favourite Pennek in a thrilling finish despite the testing conditions.

Murphy said: “He has always been crying out for this trip and he handles this kind of ground.

“I did fancy him today and his jump at the last won it.

“His owner, George Palmer, died before Christmas and he had a dream that he would run in the Grand National one day – and he probably will at some stage as he has schooled well.”

Nicky Henderson struck with his only runner of the day as Tony McCoy teamed up with Burton Port in the Hereford “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

The Trevor Hemmings-owned 5-4 favourite won a bumper at the track on his previous outing and comfortably accounted for market rival Cracboumwiz to open his account over timber by six lengths.

McCoy said: “No one wanted to make the running and he had won a point-to-point so I was happy to go on.

“Nicky’s horses are always good jumpers and very professional. He has done that really nicely.”

McCoy then nursed Philip Hobbs’ Adare Prince (5-1) round in the stamina-sapping Next Meeting Sunday 8th February Handicap Chase to complete a 121/2-1 double.

Dominic Elsworth partnered the runner-up Brumous and was hit with a six-day suspension (February 2 – 7 inclusive) for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Robert Thornton executed a well-timed ride to get Parlesotho’s head in front right on the line in the Lindley Caterers Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Double Hit gallantly tried to make all but Donald McCain’s representative had the 2-1 favourite breathing down her neck on the run-in and the market leader passed the judge a neck to the good.

Winning trainer Alan King said: “Choc (Thornton) said she didn’t do much when she got to the front.

“It looked a decent race of its type with the first three all previous winners, and her last run might have come too quick.”

Eamon Dehdashti switched to Hereford following the abandonment of Lingfield and his move paid off with victory aboard Kinkeel (10-1) in the Happy New Year Handicap Chase.

The jockey said: “He jumped so well and I knew if he winged the last then he would get there.”

Kinkeel’s trainer Declan Carroll and Wayne Hutchinson both completed a double as Ceoperk (100-30) drew clear for a 16-length call in the Lindley Caterers Mares’ Beginners’ Chase.

Carroll said: “That’s a double, which is good, and she is a nice mare. She handles that ground and she stays.”

Picture In The Sky (5-2) floored 8-11 favourite House Of Bourbon to take the concluding Severn Valley Caterers Maiden Hurdle by 12 lengths.