Ashkazar takes Wincanton victory

Ashkazar bounced back from a disappointing seasonal reappearance to win the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

Timmy Murphy settled his mount in third behind a hot early pace before taking up the running half a mile out.

He kicked on turning into the straight but both Whiteoak and Punjabi loomed large.

Donald McCain's mare Whiteoak was the only danger after the last, but she could not get on terms and went down by one and a half lengths to the 100-30 winner.

Punjabi looked in need of the run in third.

Ashkazar was cut to 16-1 for the Champion Hurdle by Victor Chandler while Whiteoak was slashed to 33s from 100-1.

The same firm also make her the 3-1 favourite for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle.

Murphy said: "I was impressed but I couldn't be that confident after he finished nearly last on his last start.

"My worry was the ground and he wasn't in love with it. He was a bit lazy but he kept picking up all the time and when Jason (Maguire, on Whiteoak) got to me, he picked up again.

"It was a big step forward on the last day - that was what we were expecting last time.

"He jumped well today but at the start he went to sleep really and I had to give him a couple of slaps to get him started. I think he is just older and wiser and more relaxed now.

"On that ground we went a very good gallop and that is what makes it pretty impressive because he was up there most of the way.

"You couldn't say that was a Champion Hurdle performance on that ground, it was whatever handled it best on the day."