Hermes Allen blows away Ballymore field at Cheltenham

Hermes Allen put up a sparkling performance to remain unbeaten since joining Paul Nicholls in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Bought for £350,000 having won an Irish point-to-point, he was a facile winner on his debut for Nicholls at Stratford in October.

This Grade Two represented an altogether different test, however, as both Willie Mullins with Hubrisko and Gordon Elliott in the shape of Music Drive were represented – along with Nigel Twiston-Davies’ promising bumper winner Weveallbeencaught.

Sent off a 9-4 chance, Harry Cobden was keen to make it a real contest on the five-year-old and ensured a decent pace throughout but coming down the hill racing towards the second-last the Irish challengers loomed large.

Nicholls can do little wrong at present, though, and Paul Townend was soon off the bridle on Hubrisko and fading while Music Drive could not get on terms either.

Hermes Allen bounded clear to win by nine lengths and Paddy Power cut the winner to 8-1 from 20s for the Ballymore in March.

“Aidan Murphy bought him for John (Hales) last spring and he was disappointing. He didn’t run, he was backward and didn’t show a lot. He had a summer at home and didn’t show a lot before Stratford,” said Nicholls.

“Obviously he had a big price tag and everyone thought he was good, so I was a little bit worried at home and then he went to Stratford and surprised us and won as he did. Bryony (Frost) said there he is a decent horse, he is just green and babyish.

“Since that day at Stratford to now, he’s improved and improved, the way he has worked, the way he has jumped, everything. He is obviously just an improving young horse who is maturing and had got into our routine and he’s doing well.”

He went on: “The Challow is a race I like winning, we have a few who can possibly go, but you’d possibly run the best one in that. The guys (owners, who also include Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson) would love to come back in the spring here and it might be he is good enough. He would get three miles on good ground or a bit slower, I suppose we can go that sort of trip.

“He is an exciting horse and will be an exciting chaser. There are a few who will improve from their first run, but he has taken a big step forward.”

He added: “We changed the feed this year and tweaked a few things and it has helped. They look great and are running all the way to the line.

“We’d been on a feed for five years and sometimes I think you need a change. The last year I was never happy that the horses looked great and we had a spell in the season where they all ran terrible and I never found out why. To me, I’d worked out it could only be one thing in my mind, so we changed it and it has been the best thing we ever did.”

Harry Cobden added: “It is nice to have one good enough to run here. He gave me a fantastic feel and jumped very well. As soon as he got over the second last he pricked his ears and had a little look around, changed his legs then he was gone.

“He is a horse that would show you nothing at home but he clearly is full of ability. He is one of those horses that comes out every day, goes back in and doesn’t show you anything. He had to be okay to go around Stratford and win the way he did. I think is probably one of the strongest novice hurdles run all season so far and he has put them to bed fairly well.

“One hundred per cent he has enough toe for two and a half miles later on. I was a bit negative on the way round as I didn’t want to go too quick but he has got plenty of class.”

John Hales, who co-owns the winner along with Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, commented: “It was a great performance. This is a different league to Stratford but that was up against quality animals. That was a great win. He has taken them apart. When you front run it is always a gamble but he just pulled away again. Yes and no he has surprised me but he won by 27 lengths at Stratford. I got a lot of stick about paying too much for him (£350,000). I said to Bryony (Frost, at Stratford) if you feel it's your day and you can by a few lengths it will put the knockers to rest.

“He has beaten quality horses today. We have bought him for chasing not hurdling. He jumps beautifully. Paul’s horses are running phenomenally at the moment.”

Trainer Gordon Elliott said of the runner-up Music Drive: “I’m very happy it was a great run. He was a bit novice and missed a few but overall I’m happy. I think we will look at options over three miles for him.”