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IMPULSIVE STAR shed his maiden tag over fences with a determined victory in the McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering Classic Chase at Warwick.
Neil Mulholland’s charge was winless after five previous outings but had run some fine races in defeat, most notably when finishing fourth in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March.
The eight-year-old was last seen chasing home Ok Corral – a winner earlier on the card – at Plumpton last month and was an 8-1 shot making his handicap debut under a light weight in this prestigious contest.
Last year’s winner Milansbar gave a bold sight in front for much of the three-mile five-furlong journey but was a spent force racing down the back straight for the second time.
And Impulsive Star took the lead under Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen
(right), carrying the colours of his father, Robert.
Calett Mad and Crosspark both threw down strong challenges in the home straight but Mulholland’s charge dug deep to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths.
Mulholland, who also saddled the fourth home with Carole’s Destrier, said: “I’m delighted. He had a nice little pipe-opener round Plumpton the other day and we knew he’d improve for the run.”
Elsewhere, Dan Skelton is not committing to a trip to Cheltenham for Beakstown despite his impressive success in the Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick.
The Irish point-to-point graduate made a successful hurdling debut at Uttoxeter in November, but suffered a short-priced defeat on his latest outing at Newcastle.
He was a 6-1 shot stepping up to Grade Two level and there was plenty to like about the way he went about his business.