Royal Infantry was an emphatic winner of the Introductory Hurdle at Haydock on Wednesday. A Listed bumper winner last term, plus he fared best of the British in the Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival bumper, the Soldier of Fortune gelding had scored on his hurdles bow at Chepstow during the Autumn. Back in action a month later, Dan Skelton's runner outclassed his five opponents galloping them into submission before recording an eight and a half lengths victory. Given the fact he handles testing ground and is very much at home on flat, left-handed tracks, the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (26th December) is likely to come under consideration.
Earlier on the card, there was a competitive novices' handicap chase which went the way of White Rhino, who made it two from two since switched to fences. Trained by Olly Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the big imposing gelded son of defied a five pounds rise for his win at Ayr last month. Staying on strongly, he won by four and a quarter lengths off a mark of 133 and looks the type to win a good staying handicap one day. The newly designed National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March has been touted as a possible long-term target - the eight year old has run twice at Prestbury Park in the past finishing second and first.
The dose of seconditis for the Top 40 Prospects continued in the same event with President Scottie shaping with plenty of encouragement for the future. Making his fencing bow over a trip shy of his best, Nicky Richards' runner jumped beautifully and looked a natural. Tapped for speed when the tempo lifted early in the homestraight, he stayed on nicely and will be hard to beat in a similar event over three miles next time. He is one for the future and just the type his Greystoke yard excel with. Sadly, we lost the Donald McCain trained Beneficially Yours who was still very much in contention when falling at the third last.
Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers were amongst the winners at Ludlow with Jackie Hobbs (6/4) making an impressive start to her career under Rules in the concluding mares' bumper. Harry Derham's new recruit was acquired for £130,000 at the Aintree April Sale having won her sole point - form has worked out well - and she looked a smart addition at the Shropshire track. Prominent throughout, she ran on strongly to register a length and a quarter win. She looks Pattern race material.
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