Gordon Elliott received the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle for the fourth straight 12 months, as Honesty Coverage flew dwelling late to interrupt the guts of Regent’s Stroll at Aintree.
It appeared like being one other front-running masterclass from Harry Cobden, who had efficiently completed related aboard Paul Nicholls’ Caldwell Potter within the well-known silks of the late John Hales on Friday.
The highly-regarded six-year-old had bravely crushed off the problem of Henry de Bromhead’s Koktail Divin and Willie Mullins’ Funiculi Funicula up the lengthy Aintree dwelling straight, however he had no reply to Honesty Coverage’s late thrust as he was expertly delivered by Gold Cup-winning rider Mark Walsh.
The 5/1 likelihood completed filled with operating to strike by half a size, with Regent’s Stroll holding off Funiculi Funicula for second.
Elliott – who struck 12 months in the past with Brighterdaysahead – mentioned: “He is very effectively named, he is a tricky horse with an excellent perspective.
“I might say he was most likely going as fast as he might the entire manner, so we’re completely delighted with him.
“He’ll undoubtedly go over additional subsequent 12 months, staying is his sport, as you possibly can see.
“I do not know if he’ll go over fences or keep hurdling, we’ll take pleasure in at this time first.”
Elliott was previously the coach of Caldwell Potter earlier than he was bought to his new connections, who embody Sir Alex Ferguson.
On this event the partly Ferguson-owned Regent’s Stroll was crushed into second and the 2 shared an embrace within the paddock.
“Sir Alex loves the sport and he came visiting to say effectively completed and I mentioned to him effectively completed on yesterday. We wished to maintain Caldwell Potter, however that is the sport we’re in,” Elliott mentioned.
“This has been a fortunate race for me, that is 4 wins in a row.”
Of the runner-up, Nicholls mentioned: “He ran some race, did not he? I am thrilled with him.
“It hasn’t been straightforward with him all season, however he is mentally starting to get there and that was by far and away his finest run. The run at Wincanton the opposite day did him good and he is starting to sit back – at this time, contemplating the event, might be as effectively behaved as he is been.
“He settled and jumped completely good and as Harry mentioned he is quickened from the final all the best way to the road.
“Finally his future is over fences, I’ve at all times mentioned that, and something he received over hurdles was going to be a bonus. He is an thrilling horse for the long run, we’ll put him away now and go novice chasing within the autumn.”
