Betfred Goals Galore Challow Novices' Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Newbury 14:00 £40,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 118y, Class 1  |
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| Tuesday 29th December 2015 | |
1 Barters Hill 4/11F
2 Politologue 6/1
3 Label Des Obeaux 4/1
3 ran Distances: 12l, ¾l
TIME 5m 20.10s (slow by 31.10s)
Barters Hill lands the Challow Hurdle in authoritative fashion
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Barters Hill kept his unbeaten record intact with a determined display at Newbury.
Ben Pauling's stable star was successful on each of his four starts in bumpers last season, most notably claiming the scalp of Bellshill at Aintree, and made a fine start to his career over jumps with a wide-margin victory at Huntingdon at the start of November.
Facing just two opponents in this Grade One feature, the 4-11 favourite was sent straight to the head of affairs by David Bass, who appeared keen to ensure a good test of stamina.
Barters Hill had to be rousted along for a few strides heading out onto the second circuit after the paddock exit caught his eye and Bass gradually wound up the tempo heading down the back straight.
It did not look great for odds-on backers shortly after rounding the home turn, with both Label Des Obeaux and Politologue moving sweetly into Barters Hill's slipstream, but the market leader dug deep and the further he went the better he looked.
Pauling's ace eventually passed the post with 12 lengths in hand, with Politologue narrowly beating Label Des Obeaux to the runner-up spot.
It was a landmark success for Pauling and Bass, who were both claiming a first victory at the highest level.
Bass said: "He never does anything flashy. At home he's unbelievably lazy.
"Even in front he was racing lazily and looking around. They came to me at the second-last, but I gave him one smack and he's gone.
"He stays all day and I was impressed with that.
"He's incredibly tough and very classy and I think he'll be just as effective on better ground."
The jockey feels the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle could be a more logical Cheltenham Festival target than the shorter Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.
"I would lean towards the three-miler (Albert Bartlett)," said Bass.
"I suppose Ben will have his own ideas, but I think he stays all day.
"We need to get him there in one piece and it's a long way until then."
Betfred Goals Galore Challow Novices' Hurdle
£40,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f 118y, Class 1
3 ran
Going: Soft, Heavy in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Barters Hill (IRE) 4/11f | D Bass 11-7 |
B Pauling | 5 | |
| 2nd | 12 | Politologue (FR) 6/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies 11-7 |
P F Nicholls | 4 |
| 3rd | ¾ | Label Des Obeaux (FR) 4/1 | Wayne Hutchinson 11-7 |
A King | 4 |
