Halo shines at Wincanton

Nicholls hurdler has big season ahead after Elite triumph

Last updated: 7th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

celestial halo

Celestial Halo

Related links

Also see

Celestial Halo made a winning reappearance in the Totescoop6 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh.

Last season's Champion Hurdle runner-up was asked to give weight all round on his return to action and the five-year-old responded with an impressive performance.

Walsh tracked runaway leader Marodima until the top of the straight, where he went to the front pursued by recent Cesarewitch runner-up Mamlook.

But the relentless gallop of the 11-4 joint favourite was simply too much for his rivals despite the weight concession, as Celestial Halo had the race in the bag before a fluent leap at the final flight sealed a 10-length win.

"I am very impressed with that because we've left plenty to work with," reported the winning trainer.

"It's surprised me a bit to be honest as you can't always gauge their improvement from four to five. He'll go to the Bula (Boylesports International) at Cheltenham next."

Mamlook galloped on at one pace to hold second place from the staying-on Whiteoak, who was never travelling throughout the race and was never nearer than at the finish.

The other disappointment of the race was Blue Bajan, who made a mistake on the far side and finished well beaten.