Market shines at Newbury

Former high class hurdler The Market Man gave his three rivals a jumping lesson on the way to victory in the Blue Square Novices' Chase at Newbury on Friday.

The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old made his debut over fences earlier this year but after chasing home the highly regarded Silverburn, connections opted to retain his novice status for another season.

And that ploy could pay dividends this term as the gelding jumped like an old hand under Barry Geraghty, the 9/4 chance overturning chief market rival Kicks For Free (5/4f) with little fuss.

The other two runners, Oh Crick and Ring The Boss, spoilt their chance with poor rounds of jumping behind the impressive all-the-way winner.

"He's possibly as good a jumper as I've sat on," said Geraghty. "This fellow's something else, he's very good.

"He'd have no problem getting three miles, so he'd have plenty of options."

Henderson's recent Cheltenham winner Punchestowns was paid a handsome complement by Ballydub as the runner-up that day put 13 rivals to the sword in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle.

Philip Hobbs' runner was left trailing in the wake behind the hugely-impressive winner at the Paddy Power meeting, and the 5-4 favourite rubber-stamped the form with a five-length triumph.

Hobbs said: "He was a very short price in a handicap with that many runners but I am very pleased.

"We were going to go novice chasing but Richard (Johnson) said he wants more experience over hurdles so we might wait for next season to jump fences.

"He was a bit flat after running at Cheltenham so he might want a bit of time now. He does stay well and appreciate soft ground."