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Court Minstrel Takes Champion Honours
20/04/13

1 Court Minstrel 4/1
2 Sametegal 7/2J
3 Silk Hall 22/1
NR: Shotavodka (IRE)
8 ran Distances: 2¼l, 2¼l, ½l
TIME 3m 45.10s (slow by 6.10s)

Adam Wedge brought Court Minstrel with a perfectly timed run to take the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr for Welsh trainer Evan Williams.

Court Minstrel
© Racehorse Photos

The 3lb claimer held the six-year-old up in last place as Bygones Of Brid set the pace, before making his bid in the straight.

He unleashed Court Minstrel (4-1) at the final flight and the pair scooted away from the opposition to win by two and a quarter lengths from Sametegal, with Silk Hall a similar distance away third.

Wedge said: "The boss told me to be as confident as I could and that I'd got one run over the last, and the horse has done it fantastically. Thank goodness the ground was drying out. If it had been any softer he wouldn't have enjoyed it. He's handled it not a bother.

"Even though I've not got there until after the last, he was still having a little look around in front, but he's stuck his head down and done it well."

Williams added: "This is a good horse and he has showed it there. I'm just very sorry for Paul Moloney. He is suspended for riding a great race in the Grand National at Aintree (on Cappa Bleu). He's done a lot of work with this horse.

"All credit to Adam. He's ridden some good races on bad horses for me and he deserved a chance on a good horse in a good race.

"We will think about the Swinton Hurdle (at Haydock), but he would have a big weight in that sort of race and to be honest he would be more suited by running in conditions races.

"If he did run again before next winter the race would probably be the Galway Hurdle. That would be the right race for him."

QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2 Limited Handicap)
£60,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
8 ran
Good (Good to Soft in places)