Storm To Victory At Newbury

Storm Goddess can claim compensation for her Cheltenham Festival mishap in the BV Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.

Charlie Longsdon’s mare was quietly fancied to run a big race in last week’s ultra-competitive Pertemps Network Final.

She got no further than the second flight, however, unseating Tom Buckley.

Storm Goddess is clearly none the worse for that experience, because she is redirected here quickly.

Buckley can again claim 5lb, and there is plenty of form in the book from last autumn which indicates he could be in business this time.

Storm Goddess was receiving more than two stones when she just got the better of the classy Younevercall in a Kempton Pertemps qualifier over three furlongs shorter than this in November.

That nonetheless demonstrated she is well capable of winning off her current rating, and she also ran a very creditable race in Listed company over an extended three miles to sign off for the winter before the ground got too deep.

She has her preferred conditions here, and clearly should be ready to do herself justice.

Earlier on the card, Masters Legacy ought to be well tuned up too in the Betvictor Handicap Hurdle.

Philip Hobbs’ lightly-raced sixyear-old appeared to be in need of the run when he returned from an absence of more than 400 days at Taunton last month.

He ran with promise nonetheless, leading three out before weakening to finish an 18-length fourth on handicap debut.

As a previous winner over three furlongs further, the likelihood must be that it was fitness rather than stamina that gave out so improvement can be expected.

All four of Masters Legacy’s career starts have been at Taunton, including back-to-back wins in the space of a month last season.