THE layers took no risks with Nicky Henderson’s Peace And Co, an impressive winner at Doncaster on his British debut and a warm favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle before contesting the same sponsors’ Grade 2 trial last week.

Starting at 4/9, he wore earplugs and scored by three lengths from Karezak without ever looking a world-beater but the ground was very tacky and he pulled clear readily enough on the run-in after squeezing through to lead at the last. Karezak ran his race out well after mastering long-time leader Ibis Du Rheu and had seven lengths to spare over Zarib, with the others holding out little hope of success at this level in future.

Peace And Co, a French-bred by Falco, is a top-priced 9/4 for the juvenile championship ahead of Bristol De Mai (8/1), also owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede but trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. “What I liked was the way he had to get between the rail and Karezak and then fight his corner because he’s had everything his own way on both of his previous runs,” Henderson said. “The faster they go, the better he’ll be and he’ll be much more streetwise next time.”

Karezak has been taking on the best youngsters all season and Alan King was happy with him. There is every reason to try again in the Triumph.