HESKIN ENJOYS EARLY PRESENT
FITTINGLY for the final day of racing before Christmas, Ascot’s Marsh Hurdle came gift wrapped for The Worlds End and jockey Adrian Heskin.
Bottomless ground — the fixture survived not one but two morning inspections — saw the scratching of hot favourite Paisley Park, who may now go to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
Later, as the Grade 1 three-miler concluded, L’ami Serge, who cantered to the front between the final two flights to hold the £56,950 prize at his mercy, contrived to throw the race away and present it to Tom George’s rejuvenated hurdler.
George, whose two-andthree-quarter-length victor had triumphed at the top level over timber in his novice campaign, said: “He had a lot of problems towards the second part of last season, which we have sorted out.
“I’m delighted. He can go over fences one day, but for now we’ll stick with what we’ve got. He has run a hell of a race.”
Nicky Henderson admitted Nico de Boinville, replacing the injured Daryl Jacob on the runner-up, returning from 580 days off the track, was “absolutely destroying himself” for not delaying his challenge until the final moments.
“Nico is gutted, as you’d imagine,” said the Seven Barrows trainer. “But what can you do when he is running away with you?”
Hughie Morrison is set to launch an ambitious tilt at the Champion Hurdle with Not So Sleepy, who made the most of the weight he got from 12 rivals in the Betfair Exchange Trophy.
“Why not? He’s won with a stone in hand, and there is no point in messing about,” reasoned Morrison after unsaddling the ninelength winner.
Harry Cobden admitted it was “a difficult choice” to desert title-holder Clan Des Obeaux, now the mount of Sam Twiston-davies, for rising star Cyrname in a mouthwatering Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
Willie Mullins has booked Barry Geraghty for former top novice chaser Footpad.