Review of the racing from Leicester: Blandfords Gunner wins under Adam Wedge

News from Thursday afternoon's meeting at Leicester, where Blandfords Gunner came out on top in the opener.

Blandfords Gunner built on his debut over fences last month with a solid performance to take the Lubenham Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Leicester.

Evan Williams' seven-year-old had obviously learnt plenty for his run behind Javert at Chepstow four weeks ago as he jumped more soundly second time to get the better of Moscow Me.

The latter, sent off a well-backed 9/4 favourite, was just in the lead before the second-last where Devil To Pay came down, but Blandfords Gunner (7/2) responded to Adam Wedge's urgings to go on and score by a length and a quarter.

Wedge said: "He made a bit of a mistake the last day, but he's come on a bundle for that. He's learnt everything and taken it all in and done it well."

Ministerofinterior (11/1) stuck on gamely under 3lb claimer Ciaran Gethings to register his 10th career success in the Barkby Conditional Jockeys' Selling Hurdle.

The Barry Leavy-trained 10-year-old battled on well to outpoint Boston Blue by three and a half lengths, with Tijori a further two and a half lengths away in third.

Leavy said: "I call him a little trick as he always keeps a bit up his sleeve.

"He's had terrible legs and has had a problem with his suspensory, so he does it when he wants to and he's now won 10 races. You never know, there might be an 11th in him."

Perhaps unsurprisingly in the circumstances, there was no bid for the winner at the subsequent action.

Jonathon England, rider of the pulled-up 6/4 favourite Teochew, was banned for one day (December 17) for allowing his mount to move into a canter before the starter had dropped his flag.

Exmoor Mist (7/4 favourite) rewarded the faith of connections by opening his account in the Clipston Handicap Chase and could return to Leicester next week.

Victor Dartnall's charge had given some encouragement when third on his fencing debut at Chepstow four weeks ago, in the same contest as opening-race winner Blandfords Gunner.

That had been his first start since January and he wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet.

Ian Popham took the seven-year-old to the front two out and Exmoor Mist idled a little as he held Take The Crown by three lengths.Trojan Star was a length and a quarter back in third.

Dartnall said: "He has just taken some time to come to himself. He had a wind operation, as most Kayf Tara's do, a couple of years ago and had a shorter season last season as he got a cyst on his tendon sheath. It was of no consequence but caused him some irritation so he lost a lot of the season due to that.

"He's a much stronger horse. Having the time off has probably helped him. I might bring him back here again next week for a novice handicap chase. We'll see how he is.

"Ian said he probably hit the front a bit too soon and he was idling. I was so pleased the way he finished.

"Whether he keep him to two miles or step up in the future, I'm not sure. We'll see how we go."

Flashjack (9/1) reaped the benefit of his jumps bow as he got off the mark in the Knighton Novices' Hurdle.

Henry Daly's five-year-old had only finished sixth to Iftiraaq over the course and distance four weeks earlier but turned that form around to some effect by having that horse back in third this time.

Touching down in front after the last, Flashjack pulled away under Jake Greenall to strike by five lengths from Allysson Monterg. There were eight lengths back to Iftiraaq.

Greenall said: "He's come on for his run in fitness and he was green.

"He's relished that deep ground today. He's not quickened, he just plods along and he'll be a chaser in time."

Troika Steppes (12/1) was another to reap the benefit of a previous outing over fences when running his rivals ragged with a bold front-running display in the Mountsorrel Novices' Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old, trained by Fergal O'Brien, was well-beaten behind John Louis at Bangor just three weeks ago but was a different proposition as he kept the persistent Manderon at bay by a length and a half.

The two principals were 30 lengths clear of Very Live in third.

O'Brien said: "Paddy (Brennan) rode him the last day at Bangor and said the horse was looking at the ones around him so we felt today we would get him out in front and get a lead, and he loved it."

Emma Baker's Arquebusier (6/4 favourite) made all to defy a 7lb penalty for winning at Fontwell last week when holding Georgieshore by a head in the Waltham On The Wolds Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old's rider, 3lb claimer James Banks, said: "I knew he'd like this ground, but I just had to make plenty of use of him as he was coming back in trip and he only does enough."