I Like To Move It delights Nigel
NIGEL Twiston-Davies thinks he could have a new The New One on his hands after I Like To Move It downed a couple of solid rivals in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Normally used as a stepping-stone to bigger targets for second-season hurdlers, I Like To Move It was an unusual runner in the race having just his second outing over timber.
Twiston-Davies has never been shy of ripping up the textbook, though, and the four-year-old, who had shown decent form in bumpers last season – finishing ninth in the Cheltenham event in March – had only had one outing in a Worcester novices’ event earlier this month.
Up against Tritonic, who was sent off at just 4-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival, and Dan Skelton’s Stepney Causeway, a winner four times last term, I Live To Move It was sent off at 100-30.
He travelled strongly in the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies for much of the contest, and while losing ground at a couple of his hurdles was still in touch as Stepney Causeway led into the straight.
As the Skelton runner faded up the hill, I Like To Move It had to be kept up to his work as Tritonic began to stay on, but three and a quarter lengths separated them at the line.
“I’m delighted. I told the owners we may as well run here, finish fourth and even though we think he’s pretty good, he’ll probably be outclassed and it would be better than carrying a penalty,” said the winning trainer.
“We always hoped he’d be good enough and he clearly was. I’m not surprised he’s getting quoted for the Supreme because we’ve always felt he was the next The New One, but when you come and take on these serious horses we didn’t think today would necessarily be the day.
“His work right from the start was reminiscent of The New One. I’d imagine we’ll come back here in November for the Grade Two novice.”
■ Luxembourg cemented his place at the head of the ante-post lists for next year’s Derby with a clear-cut win in Doncaster’s Vertem Futurity Trophy on Town Moor.
Aidan O’Brien had saddled nine previous winners of the final Group One of the British Flat season – one short of the record by the late, great Sir Henry Cecil.
Among that number were a pair of Derby winners in High Chaparral and Camelot, a St Leger hero in Brian Boru and two subsequent 2000 Guineas winners in Saxon Warrior and Magna Grecia.
Luxembourg, a son of Camelot, was the 4-6 favourite to add his name to the illustrious roll of honour, having looked every inch a top-class colt in the making in two previous starts.
Previously successful on his debut at Killarney and in the Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh, Ryan Moore’s mount travelled like a dream up the straight mile before readily extending clear for an impressive victory.