Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle |
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| Cheltenham 15:30 (Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle), £50,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 5f 26y, Class 1  |
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1 Minella Missile 22/1
2 Captain Teague 4/6F
3 The Big Doyen 4/1
8 ran Distances: 1½l, ½l, 16l
Time: 5m 19.81s (slow by 19.81s)
On just his second start under rules 🤯
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 17, 2023
MINELLA MISSILE looks a smart recruit for @EWilliamsRacing, landing the Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle in a thrilling finish! pic.twitter.com/soyfaMgicP
Evan Williams appears to have a promising contender in Minella Missile, who handled a step up in class with ease to secure victory
In the Grade 2 event, known as the Hyde Novices' Hurdle, odds-on favorite Captain Teague faced competition from the Irish-trained pair of The Big Doyen and Kinbara.
Despite leading for a significant portion of the two-mile-five-furlong race, Minella Missile, ridden by Adam Wedge, quietly entered the fray on the inside.
While Captain Teague responded to the rider's efforts, the race seemed more challenging for him compared to The Big Doyen and Minella Missile as they approached the final jump together.
Although the favorite secured second place, he couldn't match the winner's impressive acceleration.
Minella Missile, previously a successful pointer, had already defied expectations by winning a maiden hurdle at Chepstow at 20/1 in his Rules debut just last month.
"We liked him in Chepstow," revealed Williams, "But the time was very, very slow so we were a little bit concerned and backing him up quickly - just 17 days - so you're always a bit wary but we half had an inkling that we hoped he could be okay so it was lovely to see him do that.
"We were happy with him but I'm happy with selling platers some days; it's nice when it comes right. We'll just go quietly, there's no plan at all; it's great for Mrs Davies (owner) as it's her hundredth winner and it's lovely to do it here, it's fantastic."
Wedge added: "He's a horse who doesn't show us a whole lot at home but the twice we've gone to the track he couldn't show us any more, it's brilliant.
"We had a plan to stick to the inside and I thought I'm not going to go and chase everyone else, I'm going to stick to my own thing and it's worked out well today. They've quickened and we've quickened and I've almost hit the front going to the last and he's pricked his ears on me and then I've had to ask him again and he's gone again, so he's a lovely horse.
"He's very exciting for us now, it's fantastic to have a horse like that."
Trustatrader Novices' Hurdle
(Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£50,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 5f 26y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Minella Missile 5 11-2 Evan Williams Adam Wedge 22/1
2 1½ Captain Teague 5 11-7 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 4/6F
3 ½ The Big Doyen 6 11-5 Peter Fahey Keith Donoghue 4/1
4 16 Kinbara 5 11-2 John C McConnell Sean Bowen 11/2
5 13 Moonovercloon 6 11-2 Matthew J Smith James Smith 22/1
6 20 Sequestered 5 11-2 Paul John Gilligan Jack G Gilligan 12/1
7 17 Supreme Commander 6 11-2 Syd Hosie James Best 150/1
UR Wild Side Of Life 5 11-2 L J Morgan Harry Reed 50/1
