SILVER STREAKS TO FFOS GLORY
SILVER Streak added his name to the Welsh Champion Hurdle roll of honour with a stylish success in the biggest race of the year at Ffos Las.
The 3-1 joint-favourite became the first horse trained in Wales to take the prize since the race was first run in 1969.
Running for the first time since landing a valuable handicap at Haydock in May, the Evan Williamstrained grey was too strong for his rivals in the closing stages of this two-mile contest now sponsored by the Dunraven Group.
Last year’s winner The New One set the pace, accompanied by Ch’tibello, but the Nigel TwistonDavies-trained 10-year-old was a spent force from the third-last flight.
Adam Wedge had Silver Streak held up in the early stages but he began to take closer order from halfway and took up a handy position in the straight.
He jumped into the lead at the last and galloped on strongly to score by three lengths from Le Prezien, with Ozzie The Oscar a short head away in third.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” liams told At The Races. Wil-
“It is a surprise in as much as they are very good horses we were taking on. Yes, our horse is young and progressive, but you never underestimate the quality of the opposition there.
“I’m genuinely over the moon as I’ve always wanted to win this.
“I grew up watching horses win the race, so of course I wanted to win it.
“When you are born and bred in Wales, this race and the Welsh National are the two big prizes and this horse has made me feel very moved.
“I’ve mapped nothing out. Today was lovely, to come here and win a Welsh Champion Hurdle. For a man like myself based in Wales it’s tremendous, and that is what it was all about – today.
“It was great to take part. To win means a lot to us. He’s won a Swinton Hurdle and a Welsh Champion Hurdle.
“We’ll enjoy what we’ve done and we’ll see where we end up.”
Wedge added: “He’s had a nice break and it’s done him the world of good. His jumping is fantastic.”
Twiston-Davies says The New One may be retired after his below-par effort.