Bibe Mus books Fred Winter ticket with Sandown strike

Bibe Mus, ridden by Harry Cobden, on their way to winning the Betfair Racing Podcasts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Sandown Park Racecourse. Picture: John Walton/PA Wire 

Bibe Mus booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with a bloodless success in the opening Betfair Racing Podcasts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.

Second in Listed company for Ross O’Sullivan at Aintree in December, he also filled the runner-up spot at Punchestown on his most recent start and made a winning start to life in the care of Paul Nicholls under a confident ride from Harry Cobden.

The 7-4 favourite finished three-lengths clear of runner-up Only One Blue and will now head to the McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the opening day of the action at Prestbury Park.

“He’ll get a 5lb penalty for that and should now get in the Fred Winter which is why we bought him,” said Nicholls.

“We wouldn’t have come here otherwise and 122 would normally get you in, but that little bit extra should get him in now.

“I haven’t had him that long and Colm (Donlon, owner) asked me a month ago if I had anything for the Fred Winter and I asked Anthony Bromley who said the boys (Simon Munir and Isaac Souede) would sell me this one, we bought him and the rest is history.

“We’ve liked what we’ve seen and he’s done everything really nicely. It’s a bit tight to Tuesday and you wouldn’t have come here if you didn’t have to, but he was bought to do that and he’s quite a tough horse and hasn’t had too hard a race there today.” 

Nicky Henderson settled a few nerves before a typically busy Festival by saddling Newbury winner Calimystic (11-5 favourite) to follow up in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase.

Unbeaten in two over fences, Henderson said: “We didn’t expect the ground to be like it was and I was worried he really should have been in the two-and-a-half-mile novice rather than this over three miles.

“He jumped and travelled and it was lovely and it’s only his second run over fences. He’s been round Newbury and Sandown and showed he can both get this trip and handle the ground, so it’s been good.

“He wants looking after and he’s got a future – if you jump like that it’s lovely.”

 There was a taking performance from Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s 9-4 favourite to claim the Betfair Exchange Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.