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Tahmuras is Terrific in the Tolworth, and a 50/1 winner leaves us Wishing And Hoping.

Sandown’s final two flights, where the Tolworth took place on Saturday

The weekends’ racing saw a competitive Tolworth, a big-priced winner in the Veterans’ Chase and another runner added to Mullins’ Cheltenham army over at Naas.

Tahmuras enhanced his chances for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as he won the Grade One Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle, in testing ground at Sandown Park.

Racing keen early on, Tahmuras sat in behind leader Colonel Harry before Harry Cobden dropped him into midfield, getting cover down the backstraight.

Irish raider Arctic Bresil, who beat an odds-on Willie Mullins’ shot on debut, sat at the back of the field whilst favourite, and course and distance winner, Authorised Speed was setting the pace.

Tahmuras jumped economically down the backstraight, gaining strides with every jump, before travelling strongly into the home straight.

Tahmuras then made an error at the second-last, not lifting his legs high enough, which forced Cobden to shake up his mount, who responded well.

Again, the jumping was scrappy at the last, but powered up the Sandown hill and put some distance between him and eventual second L’Astroboy.

Race Replay + Interviews

Afterwards syndicate manager, and former jockey Noel Fehily, spoke about his winner and was looking forward to the Cheltenham challenge.

‘I think a fairly serious horse [is] on our hands. Roll on Cheltenham. He’ll be in both races at the festival, and we’ll speak to Paul [Nicholls] and see what he wants to do, but he’ll definitely be staying in the Supreme and Ballymore and we’ll make a decision nearer the time.’

Closing Stages Replay

Nicholls had won this race four times previously, the last in 2008 with Breedsbreeze, and now Tahmuras joins illustrious company in a race that has produced Festival winners like Desert Orchid, Yorkhill and last year’s winner Constitution Hill.

Staying in Esher, Wishing And Hoping won the big handicap chase of the day, the Veterans’ Final, at big price odds of 50/1.

In a race that featured old favourites like Ramses De Teillee, Snow Leopardess and Ballyandy, it gave trainer Mel Rowley his first chase winner of the season.

Alex Edwards set his mount to lead the race, in company with top weight Ramses De Teillee and the grey mare Snow Leopardess.

Jumping well throughout, and with the others tiring in the soft ground, and the driving rain, Wishing And Hoping began to open up a massive lead before they came to the Pond fence for the final time.

From there he couldn’t be caught but started to wander up the hill and Ramses De Teillee looked to catch the long-time leader, but the line came in time for the 50/1 shot.

On Sunday, over in Ireland, more Irish clues were served up at Naas as Champ Kiely won the Grade One Lawlor’s of Nass Novice Hurdle, beating a competitive field including unbeaten Grangeclare West and Inothewayurthinkin.

Leading throughout, Danny Mullins’ mount never had a glove laid on him, and fended off a late challenge from Irish Point in the final stages.

Champ Kiely has now been cut to 5/1 for the Ballymore, two points behind Hermes Allen at 3/1.

Race Replay

Owner Michael Masterson, sporting green and blue diamonds, had a double on the day as Appreciate It made light work on his second start over fences, but remains behind Jonbon in the Arkle market.

The action stays in the Greater London area next week, as action comes from Kempton Park with the Lanzarote Hurdle, and the Classic Chase up at Warwick could provide Ultima clues for Cheltenham.

Oliver Holmes

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