TAHMURAS (145+) exhibited his considerable ability and inexperience in equal measure in winning Sandown’s Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle as he announced himself as the best of the home defence for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Of the three races over two miles, Paul Nicholls’ gelding registered the fastest overall race time, which no doubt could have been quicker given he walked through each of the last two hurdles.

Juvenile hurdle winner I Have A Voice (128) was the closest on the clock, trailing the Grade 1 winner by 2.7secs, which was a superiority the six-year-old confirmed by covering the ground from the first hurdle on the circuit to the winning line 1.5secs quicker.

The feature of victory was the fluency with which the son of Falco hurdled, excepting the final two flights, which would be more of an asset on a better racing surface.

Mistakes

Rider Harry Cobden was unflustered in the saddle as his mount held the energy reserves to overcome both mistakes and complete the sectional from the second last hurdle in 34.5secs, in comparison I Have A Voice stopped the clock at 34.4secs. The son of Vocalised was encountering testing conditions over hurdles for the first time.

The Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate were celebrating a notable double as Love Envoi (115+) enhanced her claims for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham without having to be at her best against the clock.

After travelling kindly through the early stages, the mare was lit up by the downhill run to the back straight, eventually forcing her way to the front at the end of the back straight.

The early exertions failed to dampen her finishing effort as she also finished off her race in 34.4secs on her way to covering the final circuit just 0.7secs slower than Tahmuras.

From a form perspective, the daughter of Westerner pulled 13 lengths clear of Martello Sky (102+), who was beaten less distance than when finishing seventh to Marie’s Rock in the 2022 renewal of the Grade 1 contest at the Festival.

Testing conditions

Hardy Du Seuill (124) was the slowest of the two-mile winners, although posted the quickest final circuit and closing sectional with the testing conditions playing to his strengths.

Gavin Sheehan guided the six-year-old to a closing sectional of 33.1secs as the partnership completed their final circuit just 0.6secs slower than Grade 1 winner Tahmuras.

Charlie Deutsch attempted to deliver favourite Djelo (120) as late as possible which, given the closing sectional of the winner, may have been an impossible task. However, the Venetia Williams’ gelding was making ground before a mistake at the last halted his challenge.

Iceo (120) can also be afforded another opportunity as he was returning from a 315-day absence; the five-year-old would make most appeal at Kempton where he won on debut and finished fourth in a Grade 2 contest last season. He settled much better than previously and the experience is unlikely to be lost.

Xcitations (142+) turned what looked a competitive handicap chase into a procession from the second last fence.

Pam Sly’s gelding covered the ground from the Pond Fence in 44.4secs to complete his final circuit 1.5secs faster than Certainly Red (144) clocked in the previous race.

Admittedly, the two-and-a-half-mile contest won by Lydia Richards’ gelding was slightly quicker when adjusted for distance, although the ease and authority with which Xcitations obliged, coupled with his sectional data, earns him the award of performer of the day over fences.

Stamina

Certainly Red utilised his reserves of stamina to complete his closing sectional in 45.3secs as dropping back in trip proved no barrier to success. The nine-year-old now boasts a chase record of 24111 when racing right-handed.

The Veterans’ Chase was notable for the first two-home occupying those positions heading out onto the final circuit, from which point Wishing And Hoping (130) was never headed.

The overall time was the slowest of the day, which is reflected in the final circuit being 7.5secs slower than Xcitations as the winner also registered the slowest closing split, stopping the clock at 48.0secs.

Eyecatchers of the week

Kiwano (100+), Kempton, Saturday, January 7th – looked an improved model in beating an in-form rival.

Fire Dancer (132+), Ludlow, Friday, January 6th – the small margin of victory did not do justice to his superiority over his field.

Densworth (132+), Newcastle, Saturday, January 7th – drew clear to win easily in the best time of the day over hurdles.