Golan Shows The Way Home

Sheena West's stable star Golan Way made an impressive start to his career over fences with a bloodless success in the Ludlow Food Centre Beginners' Chase.

The six-year-old has won five times over the smaller obstacles, including a victory in Grade Two company at Cheltenham, so it was no surprise to see him sent off the 5-6 favourite for this minor event.

He was soon employing his customary front-running tactics under Jamie Goldstein and had all of his rivals burnt off before the turn for home.

It was then simply a case of negotiating the remaining obstacles to score by 29 lengths from Key Cutter.

(reopens) West has some big plans for her charge, with a tilt at the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day a possible long-term target.

"That was great but we wouldn't want to be running at somewhere like this too often as the fences are that bit softer and you wouldn't want to teach him to take liberties," said the trainer.

"He probably wants a bit more to look at in the future, but he's always been a good jumper.

"We've always schooled him over fences, ever since we had him as a four-year-old.

"The only time he's actually seen a hurdle over the last couple of years is on the racecourse.

"My natural instinct is that his ideal trip would be an easy three miles or a stiff two and a half.

"The Feltham on Boxing Day would be a race that would suit him down to the ground.

"We'll have to see where we go next. That might have looked easy but the horse puts so much into everything, even at home, so every day is a hard day.

"I get the feeling he needs his recovery, so he won't be going to Cheltenham next week."