THE opening race of Cheltenham’s new season saw Irish raiders in complete control with a 1-2-3 as Dermot McLoughlin’s Canardier led home Go Another One and Make My Heart Fly.

A highly competitive affair, with all eight of them previous winners, this Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle saw Go Another One make a brave bid for John McConnell and Sean Bowen. Still in front approaching the last, he met it perfectly but was immediately challenged by Barry Geraghty on the winner, who made the most of his 3lb concession and went on to score by just over two lengths with the third six lengths away. The market was spot-on, with Canardier made 6/4 favourite ahead of Go Another One on 5/2.

Although these are very early days, Canardier has already raced over three miles, chasing home two talented chasers at Down Royal. He will be an early fancy for the major long-distance novice hurdles in the spring.

LAST GASP

Trainer Ian Williams can do little wrong at present and his First Assignment landed a significant gamble, down to 9/2 favourite, in the Brandon Hill Capital Handicap Hurdle. The winner may well be considered a topical tip because if this is the yard’s first autumn assignment, Magic Circle’s Melbourne Cup bid is undoubtedly the second.

In a tremendous finish, First Assignment and Tom Scudamore had inches to spare over Tony Carroll’s Vive Le Roi with Christmas In April a couple of lengths away, followed by Lungarno Palace.

It was a typical Cheltenham handicap hurdle, with any number holding chances as they jumped the second last. Vive Le Roi was making the best of his way home, followed by Roi De Dubai, with Canton Prince charting a wide course and Mr Antolini creeping into it after flattening one of the flights on the far side.

First Assignment, making highly significant headway, looked to be going best of all but Vive Le Roi battled on and was arguably in front 20 yards out, only to go down by a short-head. Several future winners should emerge from the race, most notably Mr Antolini, whose mistake in a such a tightly-knit affair cost him plenty.

DARBY DRAWS CLEAR

Champion jockey Richard Johnson made his mark as Olly Murphy’s Thomas Darby, a drifter from 3/1 to 11/2, followed up his bumper win at Huntingdon by taking the two-mile maiden hurdle.

Elixir De Nutz made much of the running and was still in front turning for home with Bank On Frankie a persistent challenger. The loudly-touted Sebastopol could only keep on at one pace but Thomas Darby, emerging on the outside, timed his run perfectly and quickly went clear to win well.

A half-brother to Muirhead, Thomas Darby is one of the best novices seen out so far and may well take high rank.