Market Rasen© Photo Healy Racing
Supreme Gift booked his place for a potential tilt at the Pertemps Network Final when coming out on top in a qualifier at Market Rasen.
The Henry Daly-trained seven-year-old was seventh on his seasonal debut when last seen at Cheltenham and was ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies as a 3-1 shot for his trip to Lincolnshire.
Harbour Lake, the 2-1 favourite, looked the main threat and did take the lead over the final flight, but Supreme Gift was tough and put his head down to battle his way back and prevail by half a length, securing his spot at Cheltenham in March in the process.
“I suppose he hit the front a bit too soon and then came back again, but I think we’ll aim him at the final,” said Daly.
“It would be the obvious thing to do, he’ll go up a couple of pounds so he’ll probably get in anyhow.
“It’s a win and you’re in so it’s probably going to be the natural long-term aim for him now.”
Fergal O’Brien’s Tripoli Flyer made light work of his second hurdles start when taking the Pertemps Network “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle under Jonathan Burke.
The five-year-old has some good bumper form, finishing second to stablemate and subsequent hurdles winner Horaces Pearl in a Grade Two event at Aintree at the end of last term.
His debut over obstacles was a runner-up finish to David Pipe’s useful-looking Jurancon and there looked little to oppose him on his second attempt and he started the 1-14 favourite.
Those cramped odds proved correct and he was totally unchallenged in securing a 29-length victory.
“I’m very pleased with him there, I’m glad he did that and Johnny got him in front early enough and tried to teach him a little bit,” said O’Brien.
“He was a very short-priced favourite, but he’s won like a short-priced favourite so we were obviously delighted with that.
“We were disappointed not to win the first day, but Johnny said he’s come on leaps and bounds since then, sometimes it’s not all about winning the first time and he’s never run in a point to point so he’s learning on the job.”
The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle went the way of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Chief Sunday, who struck on his handicap debut at 5-1 under the trainer’s son, Sam.
In a field of three the gelding was a comfortable two-length victor over even-money favourite Brave Jen.
Jim and Suzi Best’s Camino Rocio secured the hat-trick when taking the Pertemps Network Novices’ Handicap Chase under Sean Bowen.
The six-year-old joined the stable this season and has not looked back, winning on his yard debut at Wincanton in October and then again at Huntingdon earlier this month.
He was the 7-4 favourite to land a three-time and duly did so, settling into a lovely rhythm and jumping fluently to score by 12 lengths.
“I was over the moon with that, we were a little bit worried about whether he’d handle the softer going but he seemed to handle it well,” said Jim Best.
“He probably got in a better rhythm than last time, it’s a great start for us, three on the trot and you never know, there might be one more in him.
“We’ll see what comes up, but he seems to be really enjoying his work and enjoying racing.”
