Top 40 Prospects off to a winning start

The two day meeting at Chepstow got underway on Friday on ground described as good to soft, soft in places on the hurdles track but conditions worsened following following persistent rain throughout the afternoon. By the end of the day, it was soft on the chase track and heavy over timber. The Top 40 Prospects in One Jump Ahead made a winning start with Captain Teague landing the Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle - champion trainer Paul Nicholls was winning the race for a ninth time. Placed in the Cheltenham Festival bumper last spring, the former Irish pointer warmed to his task throughout the two and a half miles and, having hit the front before the second last, the Doyen gelding stayed on strongly to win by nine and a half lengths. His handler indicated afterwards that the five year old will have another run before being aimed at the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury (30th December) - Team Ditcheat have won the last three renewals.

The Talking Trainers section was also amongst the winners with Blade Runner (12/1) taking the finale. Chris Gordon's runner was on and off the bridle for much of the staying handicap chase but responded well in the homestraight before running on well after the last to register a two and a half lengths win.

It is going to be gruelling conditions on Saturday with Chester already gone by the wayside. I am heading back to York for their final meeting of the season. I will be back to update the Diary on Sunday. If you haven't ordered a copy of One Jump Ahead and the Updates, please head to the Publications section of the site. We have less than 200 copies in stock.