Meganisi makes most to win

Last updated: 29th November 2012  

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Meganisi (centre): Put his experience to good use in the Sportingbet Novices' Hurdle

Meganisi landed the opening race of Newbury's Winter Festival meeting, the Sportingbet Novices' Hurdle.

Sent off a well-backed 7/4 favourite under AP McCoy, the Rebecca Curtis-trained gelding helped dictate a steady tempo along with Aaim To Prosper.

The latter generally jumped well on his debut over hurdles but it was Meganisi who established a slight advantage as the pace quickened turning for home.

Separated by the width of the Newbury straight, the pair pulled clear of the field and despite less than fluent jumps at both the penultimate and final flights, McCoy's mount put his experience to good use in galloping on to win by three and a quarter lengths.

"He's a nice horse and AP said that two miles is his perfect trip for now," said Curtis' partner Gearoid Costelloe.

"We'll have to sit down and discuss things, but he deserves to go into a Graded race now."

Eventual second Aaim To Prosper (15/8) was expected to improve for the experience by trainer Paul Nicholls and he was in turn 14 lengths clear of 7/2 chance Kings Lad in third.