Poetic Rhythm wins thrilling Challow Hurdle
Saturday 30 December 2017 16:33, UK
Poetic Rhythm provided trainer Fergal O'Brien with a first Grade One winner in the Betfred Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.
It was a close-run thing at the finish, however, as Mulcahys Hill, who had stolen seven or eight lengths down the back straight, determinedly fought back near the line.
Paddy Brennan had resisted the urge to go chasing Adrian Heskin on Mulcahys Hill too early, believing the testing conditions and stiff head wind would take their toll.
When Poetic Rhythm hit the front after the last the race looked done and dusted, but to the credit of Warren Greatrex's Mulcahys Hill, he rallied again, ultimately going down by just a short head to the 15-8 favourite.
An understandably delighted O'Brien said: "We've had one run not so well at Haydock and one or two others have just not been quite right, but that means the world.
"It's our first Grade One, we've won a few Grade Twos.
"Paddy knew what he was going to do. This horse is so tough and honest. Three weeks ago he was at the vets with a bit of colic.
"We've got a great team and thankfully he was at the vets early.
"He cost £30,000 and he's won a Grade One, he's a fantastic horse - I couldn't watch it close home, but thankfully he did it."
O'Brien confirmed it would be straight to the Cheltenham Festival for the winner: "He will go straight to Cheltenham for the Albert Bartlett.
"He has been tough today and we will give him a little break, then train him for Cheltenham."
Greatrex said of the runner-up: "It nearly paid off. It was the only way we were going to do it and it nearly paid off. He came back again and he is a fighter this horse.
"He (Heskin) said if he had come to him early he would have had him. It is hard to take. We had a game plan and it nearly paid off.
"You are always worrying they will fold, but he is so hardy and loved the ground and he skipped round the back and made it look easy.
"He will be better over three miles and he will look even better over three. He takes his races quite hard as he gives it everything. "
