RICHARD DUNWOODY celebrated the news that he will be Alderbrook's partner in next week's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham with an armchair ride on Deymiar in the Bonusprint Novices' Hurdle at Windsor yesterday.
The partnership cruised into the lead approaching the second last flight and ran on to beat Lottery Ticket by 11 lengths. David Gandolfo, trainer of the 2 to 1 on shot, said: "The horse lacks confidence in his jumping, but he does stay and Liverpool over two and a half miles is a possibility."
The rest of the afternoon belonged to Tim Murphy, Kim Bailey's conditional jockey, who notched a double on Churchtown. Port (7-2) and Price's Hill (5-2), both greys. Murphy, a 21 year old from Kildare, only joined Bailey this season and has already clocked up 16 winners. Bailey said: "The boy rides well and has a future."
Murphy led at the 11th fence on Price's Hill in the Ladbrokes Handicap Chase to score by 11 lengths and seven from Keano and Celtic Town.
North Bannister took another step up the ladder in the Final Selling Handicap Hurdle with a hard fought three parts of a length victory over Its Grand. Tom McGovern's 6-1 chance had won in a desperately tight photo at Folkestone last time out.
