Overview
- Ridden by Oisin Murphy, the 6-4 favourite surged clear to win the SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes over 1m4f by about nine and a half lengths.
- Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley said no decision has been made on the next target, with the March 10 Champion Hurdle among the options.
- Bookmakers cut his Champion Hurdle price immediately, with some firms making the 2023 winner the market leader after the Southwell performance.
- The Flat run was designed as a confidence reset following three falls in his last four National Hunt starts, and connections reported he enjoyed the outing.
- A crowd of roughly 3,520 and TV coverage helped drive what Entain called an extraordinary betting turnover, as pundits split on a Cheltenham return versus a new Flat campaign.