Top notcher for the Top 40

Gidleigh Park defied a six pounds penalty and ran out a most impressive nine lengths winner of the two and a half miles novice hurdle at Newbury on Wednesday. Harry Fry's gelding had won in good style over two miles on his hurdles debut at Exeter last month (runner-up won since) but looked even better over this longer trip at the Berkshire track. A big powerful gelding by Walk In The Park, Johnny Burke's mount lobbed through the contest before taking control in the homestraight. The further he went, the better he looked leaving some well regarded rivals trailing in his wake. A step up in class is on the agenda and it would be a surprise to see him head to Cheltenham's Trials meeting for the Grade 2 novice hurdle over two and a half miles. Featured in the Top 40 Prospects of One Jump Ahead, he is a tremendous long-term prospect both over hurdles and fences.

Nicky Richards has his team in good order at present and it was pleasing to see Soft Risk make a winning start to his chasing career. Returning from an absence of 628 days, the seven year old was a useful novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago before injury intervenned. Given time to return to full health, the James Westoll owned gelding has always been viewed as a chaser in the making and he couldn't have won much easier at Ayr on Wednesday. Jumping well for Sean Quinlan, he only had to be nudged out to beat his two rivals by upwards of four lengths. Stiffer tasks lie ahead but it was a good start to what will hopefully be a fruitful chasing career.