Puturhandstogether sparkles in Fred Winter

Puturhandstogether ran all over his rivals to run out an emphatic winner of the Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – Registered as the Fred Winter -  and hand trainer Joseph O’Brien a third success in the race in the last seven years. All eyes were on the French-trained Stencil beforehand and the very well-backed favourite went off at 11/4, yet it was another horse in the famous JP McManus silks – this one in the second colours – who caught attention in no uncertain terms on the downhill run to third-last obstacle as Puturhandstogether cruised down to the final flight and, despite drifting to the stands rail after the last, needed no encouragement from rider Mark Walsh to run out a six-length winner.  Robbies Rock finished with a flourish to take second at 50/1 for Gavin Cromwell, while Liam Swagger finished third at 12/1. Hot Fuss (17/2) took fourth from Slurricane (33/1) in fifth and Wendrock (33/1) in sixth. O’Brien also had Beyond Your Dreams in the race – also in the McManus ownership – but jockey Mark Walsh chose correctly in a decision that was spectacularly vindicated. 

"We didn't expect that. Obviously Mark had the choice and he could have rode either of them to be honest, but I suppose getting on soring ground today from running on winter ground, this guy really seems to thrive on it,” O’Brien told Lydia Hislop. “There was very little between them coming here, but this guy was working well and we did think the spring ground would bring some improvement. “We didn’t expect a performance like that – it was a great ride from Mark and special to have a winner this week for JP.” 

The trainer added: “These big handicaps at Cheltenham you just have to take your chance and be as prepared as you can and hope you get a bit of luck on the day. Any winner at Cheltenham is special. “I suppose we will see what the handicapper does. We have gone onto the Galway Hurdle with some of the horses in the past so that might be a logical step.” 

"When I saw the ground was going to be Good, that's a big key to this horse and everything went to plan. "We went a proper good gallop, he jumped great, I had a lovely position in mid division and I had loads of room. I just started to creep on them going to the third-last and the gaps opened up for me. He flew up the hill." 

 Gavin Cromwell, trainer of runner-up Robbies Rock, said: “He ran really well. He was flat out everywhere and had to take the brave man’s route, but he stayed on really well and got to the line.” James Owen, trainer of the third Liam Swagger, said: “It would have been nice if he’d had a smoother passage, but it’s a rough race; four-year-old handicappers who have only run in small fields, but he’s a brave horse and I’m really pleased with him. He’ll have a Flat campaign now. Chester Cup.”