Thyme Hill pulls out all the stops
Meanwhile Seven Barrows enjoys more success at Newbury
THYME Hill produced a dominant display in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, managing to fend off last year’s winner Paisley Park, on day one of the Ladbrokes Winter Carnival.
The two-day festival, which usually attracts 20,000 spectators on each day, was held behind-closed-doors due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, it didn’t disappoint in excitement as Thyme Hill held on to the win for trainer Philip Hobbs and jockey Richard Johnson.
Speaking after the win, Hobbs said: “I am absolutely delighted. He has done everything very well and he ought to improve further.
“You wouldn’t come to a race like this half-cooked and I am sure he’ll improve because he is a lovely horse and everything went really well in the run-up to it.
“We schooled him over fences last season and his jumping was very good, so he can definitely do that at some stage,” he added.
Elsewhere, Hill Barn trainer Harry Whittington was impressed with Sir Sholokhov in the opening race as the fiveyear-old finished third, behind My Drogo and the Jo Davistrained Saggazza respectively.
Speaking after the race, Whittington said: “The owners arrived at the yard in summer and this is the first one they have sent me and he is a fine, big horse.
“He did have breathing problems and we have given him an operation, so to see him go and do that is really exciting for the future because he’ll definitely step-up in trip and improve.
“I don’t mind them getting beat over hurdles first-time because it means they can run a second race without having to carry a penalty and they have the experience.”
Whittington was quick to praise the efforts of Newbury Racecourse, which has worked hard once again to allow the Ladbrokes Winter Carnival to take place.
“The ground is beautiful, they have done a great job and Keith Ottesen has done a fantastic job,” he said.
“It’s great to be racing here and, although it’s sad without the fans, it is important we continue the sport.”
There was more success for Nicky Henderson as Caribean Boy won the Novices Steeple Chase, while Elusive Belle was successful in the Ladbrokes Daily Odds Boosts Chase.