A review of the racing from Newbury

A review of the action from Newbury on Thursday, where Might Bite made an impressive start to life over timber.

Might Bite made an impressive start to life over timber with a clear-cut victory in the Visit Sri Lanka Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.

The Nicky Henderson-trained 9/4 shot built on his third-place finish in a bumper at the Berkshire track back in January with what was a facile success in the two-mile-five-furlong event.

Settled in behind leader Mr Dinosaur, the half-brother to Grade One-winning stablemate Beat That took aim at the pace-setter over the second-last.

Despite producing a tired leap at the last, the six-year-old continued to draw clear, eventually passing the post 15 lengths ahead of the staying-on Royalraise.

Henderson said: "He is such a good jumper, he spent a lot of time in the air. Normally you wouldn't let them win a maiden hurdle at this time of year, but he won't be hanging around over them. He is a bit like Beat That in the way he was quite immature, but he is a beautiful horse.

"We will run him again over hurdles on better ground, as that was quite testing out there."

Katgary gained an overdue first win in Britain with a pillar-to-post success in the Sri Lanka Welcomes You Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old left behind a string of below-par efforts since finishing second in last year's Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival when defying top weight in the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies.

Although Carry On Sydney stayed on well from a long way back the line came in time for the 2-1 favourite, with the Paul Nicholls-trained runner having a length to spare at the line.

Nicholls said: "It is nice to get a win with Katgary. He will stay over hurdles until the end of the season then there might be a few early-season novice chases we can win with him before putting him away until the autumn.

"He has just wanted time this year. Ultimately, he will be a three-mile chaser and he will improve for going over that trip."

Phone Home found extra reserves when it mattered most to land a rallying success in the Win A Holiday To Sri Lanka Handicap Chase.

Having been headed by Morning Reggie over three out, the long-time leader looked booked for second in the two-and-a-half-mile event.

A mistake at the second-last by Morning Reggie saw the 20/1 shot wrest back the lead on the run to the final fence.

After jumping the last together, Nick Mitchell's eight-year-old responded to all of Tom Scudamore's urgings in a slow-motion finish to grind out a four-length success.

Scudamore said: "It was hard work out there, as it is very gluey. He deserved that as he was just done on the line here on Hennessy day, so it was nice for him to come back and do that.

"When Leighton's (Aspell) horse (Morning Reggie) made a mistake at the second-last I knew my lad would carry on galloping. I would not say I was confident, but I didn't think I was beaten."

Double Shuffle showed his shock win at Doncaster last time out was no fluke when following it up in the Sri Lanka Something For Everyone National Hunt Novices' Hurdle.

Winning trainer Tom George hinted that a bid for a hat-trick of hurdle wins for the 7/2 shot, who scored at 50/1 on his previous run, is unlikely.

George said: "He did that well, but he is a chaser for next year as that is when he will come into his own. It has taken a while to get him right, as he was quite buzzed up when he arrived. More than likely that will be it for the season with him."

Tothemoonandback came home in isolation after turning the Amazing Sri Lanka Novices' Limited Handicap Chase into a procession.

Although taking time to respond to the task, the 8/1 chance found plenty for pressure under Jamie Moore to win by an unopposed 24 lengths and back up victories at Huntingdon and Plumpton gained earlier in the campaign.

Moore said of this father Gary's winner: "I think three-miles last time out around Kempton was a bit sharp. I thought I was beat going past the stands. He needed a couple of reminders but he came home strong, although the race fell apart a bit."

It was a case of saving the best until last as Ebony Empress (11/2) got the better of a thrilling finish in the concluding Sri Lanka Paradise Island Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Despite travelling well into the race the six-year-old was not to have matters her own way when hitting the front at the penultimate flight as the hard-driven My Legal Lady refused to give in.

Following a tenacious battle up the run-in, Neil Mulholland's six-year-old emerged as the winner by three-quarters of a length.

Mulholland said: "Ebony Empress is very tough and game and she had to work hard. She travelled well into the race, but she got there too early. Thankfully she wanted to win."