Cryptic cruises to Newbury victory
Cryptic came home like an odds-on favourite should when thumping his six rivals by upwards of 24 lengths in the Connaught plc "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Newbury today.
Philip Hobbs' 2-9 market leader hacked along in front and stretched right way under Richard Johnson from the opposition headed by Aux Le Bahnn to score with a 10lb penalty.
Totesport trimmed the six-year-old into 16-1 for the Albert Bartlett Spa Novices' Hurdle while William Hill and Stan James are 14-1 and 12-1 respectively for the Pertemps Final.
Hobbs' wife Sarah said: "I am delighted and Richard said if we had 50 like that then it would be easy!
"He is the prefect racehorse and didn't have to work too hard out there - he just does what he needs to.
"He is in both races at Cheltenham and we have no preference which he goes for. We'll just see which looks the easiest nearer the time."
A switch to fences saw Island Flyer click as he left a few disappointing efforts over hurdles behind in the Connaught Partnerships Novices' Handicap Chase.
Paddy Brennan was always in command over the final four fences aboard the 9-2 chance, who kept up the gallop to deny 11-8 favourite Count Kristo by eight lengths.
Trainer Tom George said: "I was going to wait for next season to go chasing but I thought we had better go now.
"This was a nice opportunity but I did think the two-and-a-quarter-mile trip would have been too short.
"He'll make up into a lovely three-mile chaser and we might try him in a nice novice chase before the end of the season."
The National Britannia Veterans' Handicap Chase was restricted to horses aged 10 years and upwards but still produced a spectacle of a finish with six of the 13 runners crossing the second-last in unison.
Briery Fox had made steady headway from the off the pace and looked like keeping on for victory only for the David Pipe-trained Tango Royal (16-1) to see him off by two lengths.
The 12-year-old grey had been winless since the end of 2006 but recaptured his form in grand style, with the 7-2 favourite Royal Auclair boxing on for third.
Pipe said: "These races for older horses are fantastic and are well-supported. They give horses another opportunity, and whoever came up with the idea of veterans' chases needs a pat on the back.
"He's been a star through the years and we have had him a long time, so it's great to see him win again in such a competitive finish.
"He's run well here before and the handicapper gave him a chance."
