L'Ami Serge ran out a clear-cut winner of the Tolworth Hurdle

L'Ami Serge ran out a clear-cut winner of the 32Red Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown, beating Jolly's Cracked It by 14 lengths.

Now unbeaten in three starts over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, the 4/9 favourite raced a little lazily during the middle stages of the Grade One contest, but ultimately proved far too strong for his two serious rivals.

Shelford, who had tried to make all under Harry Skelton, took a tired fall when backpedalling at the final flight, leaving Jolly's Cracked it to give vain chase in testing conditions to the winner, who looks a thorough stayer at this two-mile trip.

Nicky Henderson, mindful that this was a third quick run for the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned French import, is keen to take L'Ami Serge straight to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March without another run.

The performance further strengthened the burgeoning Munir-Souede axis, as the pair already have smart youngsters Peace And Co, Bristol De Mai and Vyta Du Roc in their colours.

"I don't like getting over-enthusiastic, but there was nothing not to like about that," said the winning trainer. "I know there were only four runners, which nobody likes, but I thought there were three serious ones in the race.

"Once they turned in, it became obvious that Barry was full of it. The amazing thing is that he's good enough to do what he's doing over two miles and over hurdles because he looks like a chaser.

"I was impressed today and I am excited.

"We'll go straight to Cheltenham for the Sky Bet Supreme. It's only a fortnight since he won at Ascot and I just think he'd had eight runs over hurdles in France last year and they've educated him for us!

"Here was the obvious opportunity. He looks a very good novice to me, perhaps [he's] not quite at the very top of the novices over two miles, but we'll have to see what else comes along!"

Geraghty added: "You'd have to be impressed. His two previous wins were good, but he's stepped up here.

"Shelford was well beaten when he fell and he had good form from Ascot (fourth in The Ladbroke).

"It was bit hard work on the ground through the race, but I think that's just a reflection of his age, he's only just turning five and to win the way he did was very good.

"Better ground wouldn't be a problem, he coped with that ground but he's a lovely mover and you'd imagine decent ground should suit him."

Both Shelford and Harry Skelton were quickly back on their feet after their fall and happily seemed none the worse, while Harry Fry was far from despondent with the performance of Jolly's Cracked It.

"The winner is a good horse and we've been beaten fair and square, but he's run really well," said Fry. "We'll take him home now and we might just look to go down the handicap route with him."

Sponsors Sky Bet cut the winner from 10/1, first to 7/1, and then subsequently to 11/2 for the Supreme. Spokesman Michael Shinners commented: "Nicky Henderson might not yet be convinced that he is best novice around, but you can't fault what he has done in Britain so far and his experience is going to prove a useful asset at Cheltenham too. The punters clearly think so too because we couldn't keep the 7/1 up."