Friday 21 November 2014 16:24, UK
A review of Friday's action at Ascot, where Puffin Billy opened his chasing account at the second time of asking.
Puffin Billy got back to winning ways in tremendous style with a foot-perfect display in the Sodexho Beginners' Chase at Ascot.
Oliver Sherwood has always thought the world of the six-year-old but the wheels fell off somewhat last season after he disappointed on his return and was then struck down by colic.
He managed only third on his chasing debut last month but showed the benefit of that with a spring-heeled round of jumping.
Leighton Aspell was positive on him and once into a rhythm, the highly-regarded pair of Killala Quay and The Skyfarmer could not get on terms.
Sent off the 5/2 favourite, Puffin Billy was bold at the last and came home eight lengths clear of Killala Quay.
Sherwood was delighted for the horse and owner Tim Syder, who has endured a run of misfortune this season losing a couple of promising horses.
"That was very satisfying as you never quite know if they still have the appetite to win when they come back from problems like he had," said Sherwood.
"The will to win is important in a horse but he showed that he very much still has it.
"I'm just so pleased for the horse and for Tim who has had a rough few weeks.
"Ground is quite important to him. He handles good ground but that ground we had there today (soft) is probably ideal and while he will get three miles in time, I'm happy to keep him at two and a half for now.
"We won't be going back to two miles now, I wouldn't have thought."
Earlier on the card the Paul Nicholls-trained Arpege D'Alene (12/1) was a most impressive winner of the Geotech Soil Stabilisation "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.
Harry Fry's Jolly's Cracked It (5/4) continues to create a good impression and won again in the Felix Rosenstiel's Widow & Son Introductory Hurdle, despite making a jolting error at the second-last.
