Stars shines on hurdling debut
Last Updated: 19/10/14 6:18pm
A review of the rest of Sunday's card at Kempton as Stars Over The Sea entered the Triumph Hurdle picture following his juvenile victory.
Stars Over The Sea made the most of his useful Flat ability to get off to a winning start in the National Hunt sphere at Kempton, prompting Sky Bet to introduce him at 25/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.
Rated 99 on the level for Mark Johnston and now transferred to David Pipe by owner Roger Brookhouse, the 11/8 favourite landed the William Hill - In The App Store Juvenile Hurdle by six lengths with his head in his chest.
"He's not a natural, but he'll get better," said Pipe.
"We don't normally get going until mid-November but I wanted to give him some experience.
"He has got a lot of improvement to make in his jumping and I suppose he'll be out again in a few weeks."
An introduction to fences brought about a victory for Fond Memory in the William Hill - In The App Store Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
Given a pipe-opener by Nigel Twiston-Davies over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month, the 5/1 chance had mastered the leader Owen Na View by the penultimate obstacle and was pushed six lengths clear by the trainer's son Sam.
Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He has always worked well but not done it on the track - he had only ever won once at Perth.
"He jumped well and looks a chaser, so happy days."
Team Twiston-Davies, who went on to make it a treble on the card through The New One in the williamhill.com Hurdle, made it a double as Wood Yer claimed the William Hill - Bet On The Move Handicap Chase.
The 7/2 joint-favourite had completely lost his way after a bright spell during the middle of winter, but appeared refreshed for a 158-day breather as he came two and three-quarter lengths away from John Upson's outsider Blackwell Synergy.
"Happy days again," said Twiston-Davies.
"He's not the best horse in the world but he keeps trying."
Blue Heron continued the bright start to his career in the Listed William Hill - On Your Mobile Novices' Hurdle.
Trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by his brother Harry, the 100/30 chance skipped four lengths away from 9/4 favourite Parlour Games between the last two flights.
Skelton's assistant, Josh Guerriero, said: "He's out of novices in November and Dan is thinking of trying to sneak him into the Greatwood (at Cheltenham).
"There's no point taking on Grade One horses, as he's probably not good enough for that."
Harry Redknapp had not made the journey across West London to see his horse Violet's Boy (9/2) compensate very moderately for QPR's late defeat to Liverpool by winning the William Hill - Exclusive Mobile Offers Handicap Chase.
The strapping Nick Williams-trained Tea For Two (13/8) and Lizzie Kelly got past Barry Geraghty and 5/4 favourite My Wigwam Or Yours in the William Hill "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle, looking a nice prospect.
"It was his first time over hurdles and he was a bit big and bold," said Kelly.