Deano`s Beeno fired a warning shot to the top stayers when he landed the EDS Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury today for the second year in succession.
The eight-year-old, restricted to just five outings last season which he ended with a disappointing display at Ascot, looked right back to his best as he pulverised Celtic Native by 17 lengths in the hands of Tony McCoy.
It is understood that Deano`s Beeno was operated on for a wind complaint in the close season and on this evidence the surgery has had a pronounced effect.
McCoy was very impressed with the Martin Pipe-trained gelding and said: 'Last year he was a bit quirky at the paddock bend but there was no sign of a repeat this time and on his day he`ll beat anything - while if it`s not a going day he couldn`t beat me!'
Pipe did not lay down any specific plans for the winner, who was cut in the price for the Stayers` Hurdle from 25-1 to 14-1 by Coral.
Richard Johnson was at his strongest when driving home Leaburn from the well backed Bold King in the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother`s Middle Temple Centennial Handicap Chase.
Philip Hobbs revealed that Leaburn has also benefited from an operation on his soft palate, the trainer explaining: 'He had a wind op in the summer but we still tied his tongue down today because he just choked slightly when pulling up after his previous run at Warwick.
'He doesn`t really want this soft ground, but he coped well with it - at least as well as the others did - and he saw the trip out well.'
Johnson had initiated a double when Bacchanal produced a pleasing first performance over fences to land the cantorindex.com Fulke Walwyn Chase, scoring by 18 lengths from Wahiba Sands.
Nicky Henderson was delighted with the performance of the Lady Lloyd Webber-owned six-year-old, who dispelled the trainer`s doubts about how he would adapt to fences.
'Richard says don`t think of going back to hurdles,' smiled Henderson.
'It was a good performance given that he raced alone most of the way round. He was either 10 lengths behind the runner-up or 10 lengths in front. He`d be better with company.
'It was a very satisfactory start over fences and he stays three miles well and quickens up.'
Bacchanal received a 10-1 (from 14-1) quote from Coral for the Royal and SunAlliance Novices` Chase at Cheltenham.
His next outing, according to the trainer, will probably be in the Feltham Chase at Kempton Park`s Christmas meeting.
Henderson brought Chapeltown back from a 902-day absence to spring a 25-1 surprise in the Racing Review Magazine Novices` Hurdle under amateur rider Marcus Foley.
The trainer said: 'I bought him in the North of Ireland and have had him for three years in which time he`s had every problem under the sun but my head-lead Corky Brown has always loved him and we knew he had all the ability.'
Hot favourite Iliko dropped away tamely in the straight and was reported by jockey Johnson to have suffered breathing problems.
There was a sizeable on-course plunge on top-weight Mr Cool in the Compaq Gerry Fielden Intermediate Limited Handicap Hurdle but Robert Thornton conjured a storming run from Male-Ana-Mou to nail the favourite in the last few strides.
Male-Ana-Mou was providing Jamie Poulton with his most prestigious training success and the seven-year-old could develop into a contender for the Stayers` Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Poulton will avoid running his winner on fast ground and said: 'He fractured a cannon bone at Cheltenham which was the reason for his disappointing run there.
'He wants two and a half miles and I would think he`s a very decent jumper, certainly Cheltenham material if he gets his conditions.'
