Easy for Irish Saint

NICHOLLS and Twiston-Davies can do no wrong on Saturdays and Irish Saint, a well-backed even-money favourite, ran right away with the Grade 2 Betbright Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton over two and a half miles plus.

Things were made easier for him when Melodic Rendezvous, coming very late to chasing at nine, blundered badly four out. However, Irish Saint was already travelling strongly in the lead and drew further away to beat Hollow Penny by 10 lengths.

“He’s in the JLT at Cheltenham and we’d look at that on heavy ground but otherwise he’ll go to Aintree,” Nicholls said.

Beltor earns Triumph tilt

NEWPORT trainer Robert Stephens has a fine prospect in only his second year with a licence. The is Derby winner Authorized’s son Beltor, who followed up his debut success at Ludlow by beating Nicholls’ All Yours by five lengths in the Grade 2 Betbright Cheltenham Festival Fund Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.

Ridden by Tom O’Brien, Beltor was too keen but found plenty when moving up to lead two from home. There is every reason to go for the Triumph Hurdle, where 12/1 was taken, though he went five furlongs as a young horse and will need to settle better at Cheltenham. There are grounds for saying Aintree might suit him better, though O’Brien certainly believes he should go for the Triumph.

Heaven needs time

NICKY Henderson did not miss out on an informative day and his novice Days Of Heaven (11/10 favourite) overcame a mistake two out to beat Nicholls’ market rival Vago Collonges by nearly three lengths in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.

The winner is a nervous sort, according to the trainer, and Cheltenham is not on the agenda. He wants to go right-handed and will be given plenty of time, although Aintree is a possibility, as it is for the runner-up. Although this was only a four-runner race, the form looks quite smart with the winning time quicker than the Adonis.

Peter Bowen’s 6/5 favourite Ghost River defied a double penalty in the bumper in the hands of AP McCoy. Things will be harder at Cheltenham but he will probably take his chance.

Milborough win

THOROUGH stayer Milborough, 10/1, landed Newcastle’s Betfred Eider Chase for Scotland with a gritty display at Newcastle on Saturday.

The nine-year-old, from Ian Duncan’s Ayrshire stable, moved through to lead three out under Graham Walters and galloped on steadily, holding the determined late challenge of Venetia Williams’ Summery Justice, who missed out the last. Milborough was bought privately out of Tim Vaughan’s yard by Brian Mcfadzean for just £12,500 and was picking up more than £43,000. He heads for the Scottish National.

Jenkins spots bumper chance

BALLYCLARE, Co Antrim trainer James Jenkins spotted a good opportunity for Kalanisi gelding Brain Power, who started at 11/4 favourite and took the bumper quite tidily in the hands of Peter Carberry.

Still only four, Brain Power was making his debut and looked like winning easily but greenness threatened to catch him out and Carberry had to drive him out to beat Big River by half a length. He can go on to better things.