Glory And Fortune goes to Lacey and Sheppard in Betfair Hurdle

GLORY AND FORTUNE held off I Like To Move It to provide jockey Stan Sheppard and trainer Tom Lacey with victory in the most valuable handicap of the season, the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

Second last time out in the Christmas Hurdle to Epatante, Glory And Fortune was nevertheless a relatively unconsidered 20-1 shot in a highly- competitive field of 14.

The novice Jetoile made sure the race was run at its usual helter- skelter pace, but running to three out he had faded and Glory And Fortune was left in front.

There were still a handful of the favourites travelling apparently well, among them were the Nicky Hendersontrained duo Broomfield Burg and First Street, I Like To Move It and last year’s winner Soaring Glory.

Glory And Fortune nicked a couple of lengths on the run to the second-last, however, and it proved crucial. Everything else was soon off the bridle and while Nigel TwistonDavies’ novice I Like To Move It emerged from the pack to throw down a late challenge and was closing with every stride, the line came in time for the winner who held on by a short head.

First Street was third with Lord Baddesley making late gains for fourth.

Lacey said: “I was talking to myself and saying ‘ don’t go too soon, don’t go too soon’, but Stan has had a fantastic year and it is fab for Stan. He works incredibly hard and when I leg him up on the horse he puts belief in him, so it is just great.”

Paul Nicholls was able to breathe a sigh of relief as one of his stable stars, Bravemansgame, booked his Cheltenham Festival ticket in style by winning the novice handicap chase.

The champion trainer chose to run the seven- year- old, who remains unbeaten over fences, in handicap company and he was giving 16lb to some useful rivals in Pats Fancy and Grumpy Charley, but Harry Cobden guided him to a three- and- a- half length victory.

“I’m pleased with what he has done,” Nicholls said. “It was a super job. We are going into the three-miler in good shape and we are thrilled with that, obviously, and looking forward to going to Cheltenham.”