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.

“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 winning rider told Lydia Hislop: "I got it right for once!"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."