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Chepstow cruise for Sea

NEWBURY, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: Trainer David Pipe talks on the phone at Newbury Racecourse on February 8, 2014 in Newbury, England.  (Photo by Ben Hoskins
Image: David Pipe; Won with Sail By The Sea

Sail By The Sea booked his ticket for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy when easily getting off the mark over fences at Chepstow.

Having only his fourth start under Rules, the seven-year-old stepped up on his third behind Grumeti at Plumpton to outclass the opposition in the Abergavenny Hotel Novices' Chase.

Trainer David Pipe and owner Roger Brookhouse took the two-mile novice chase title at Cheltenham with Western Warhorse last March and connections had no hesitation in naming that race as the target.

Tom Scudamore made all the running on the 1-6 favourite, who was not out of second gear to beat All But Grey by 10 lengths.

Pipe said: "He jumped a lot better today. The one he jumped best was the last when he came out of Tom's hands. It was just what the doctor ordered.

"Chepstow is very different to where he ran first time at Plumpton - a quick, sharp track. He had a bit more time today and it's onwards and upwards, hopefully.

"He'll go for the Arkle. Whether he runs again or not before then I'll speak to Roger Brookhouse and see what we do.

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"He's always shown a lot of ability at home. We'll see how good he is in the Arkle."

Chosen Well made a successful debut for trainer Alan King with a promising performance in the Truvape/EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier).

Wayne Hutchinson brought the 7-4 favourite through to lead at the final flight and power away to account for Wait A Second by three and a quarter lengths.

"He was only just ready to start. He threw an enormous splint in the autumn and he was lame for six to eight weeks," said King.

"He's a horse we like and hopefully he can win again. Next year over fences is when he's going to be very exciting. He's a three-mile chaser in the making."

Crabbie's Grand National hopeful Wyck Hill made an encouraging return from a 321-day absence when narrowly beaten by Mackerye End (7-4) for the Philanthropic Inn Pontywaun Novices' Hurdle.

The pair treated racegoers to a titanic tussle and it was Jonjo O'Neill's runner, ridden by Richard Johnson, who got the verdict by a length and three-quarters.

Wyck Hill's trainer David Bridgwater told At The Races: "It was a really good run. He's got beat by a nice young horse.

"He might have another novice hurdle, he might go for the Eider Chase. We'll see. He'll be entered in the National."

O'Neill said of the winner: "He's a grand, honest horse and he'll make a grand chaser in time,"

Alex Dunn's Come On Annie (16-1) led four out before going on to land her first success over fences by six lengths from Long John in the Angel Hotel Abergavenny Handicap Chase under Conor O'Farrell.

Harry Whittington's Fourovakind (2-1 favourite) opened his acount over the bigger obstacles in likeable fashion by 23 lengths from Gunna Be A Devil in the Crystal Windows Handicap Chase.

Noel Fehily drove the Richard Woollacott-trained Cash Injection (8-1) out to get the better of long-time leader Qalinas on the run-in to take the Truvape Handicap Hurdle by half a length.

Fehily completed a 233-1 double on Silent Alliance (25-1) for trainer David Dennis in the SIS Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

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