Bobs demonstrates Festival worth
Bobs Worth further strengthened Nicky Henderson’s Festival hand with an excellent display in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The Seven Barrows handler is enjoying a magical run of form and surely wishes the March jamboree was just days rather than weeks away.
Henderson is particularly strong in the novice hurdle division, but Bobs Worth ensured he would be on the horsebox to Cheltenham in a little over six weeks with victory in what looked a hugely competitive event.
With much of the talk surrounding the previously unbeaten Backspin, Bobs Worth, a winner at Kempton and here at Cheltenham on his previous hurdling starts, was sent off second best at 7-2.
Travelling kindly for Barry Geraghty and taken wide into the home straight, the six-year-old had both Backspin and the strong-travelling Rock On Ruby to contend with heading towards the final flight.
The latter proved the most persistent challenger, but Bobs Worth began to kick clear on the run to the line for a two-and-a-quarter-length success.
Rock On Ruby ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot, while Habbie Simpson ran on late to claim third with Backspin weakening disappointingly.
William Hill make Bobs Worth the new 5-1 favourite from 12-1 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.
Henderson added: “It was a good performance. I thought we might be flying a bit high coming here but the amazing thing about this horse is that he’s very laid back and he’s got a great attitude.
“He travelled very well and he’s gone away in the end. He’ll go straight to the Festival.
“We’ve got a few more to come and it’s a question of juggling them around between two miles, two and a half and three.
“Two and a half would be the trip for this one.”
It was a day to remember for several of the smaller training establishments, starting off when 15-8 favourite Local Hero maintained his unbeaten status in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.
Steve Gollings had learned little about his youngster from two bloodless successes in the north and his faith was repaid as the 15-8 favourite overcame several scrappy mistakes to outfox Third Intention on the run-in.
“He came here with questions to answer and he has done that,” said Gollings.
“They didn’t go fast enough for him and he was still a bit novicey but he’s only a new kid on the block.
“It’s great for a small yard and he’ll have an entry in the Fred Winter back here, but I think we’ll look seriously at the Triumph.”
David Bridgwater’s The Giant Bolster then grabbed the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase under top weight.
The gambled-on 5-1 shot appeared to be struggling to go the pace at the top of the hill but perked up with a sight of the finish, taking advantage of Vino Griego’s rather lacklustre jumping by two and a quarter lengths.
Bridgwater said: “I think this is a very good horse and it’s all about looking after him for the next two years, by which time he’ll be mixing it with the very best.
“Rodi Greene gave him a fantastic ride and he’s crying out for three miles. I think he’ll go to the RSA Chase with a right shout and I’ll wrap him up until then.”
There he could meet Wishfull Thinking, who overcame inexperience to produce a thrilling display of jumping against the seasoned professionals in the Murphy Group Chase.
With a first-time tongue-tie, the 9-2 favourite swatted away Calgary Bay with something to spare under a positive Richard Johnson ride.
“Richard was of the opinion that if the ground is good at Cheltenham he could get three miles for the RSA,” said trainer Philip Hobbs.
“Otherwise he would have no problems staying at this trip for the Jewson.”
A quality day’s racing was concluded by the Stellar Football “End of Transfer Window” Handicap Hurdle and it was Art Professor (8-1) who came out on top by a short-head from Alarazi.
