Salver too strong in Hampton Court contest

Salver got the better of a protracted duel with Doyen Quest to claim victory in the LSL Racing Auctions Hampton Novices’ Chase at Windsor.

Saved from last weekend’s abandoned meeting at Warwick, the rescheduled Grade Two attracted a quality field of six runners, with Gary and Josh Moore’s Esher Novices’ Chase winner Salver the 7-5 favourite to bounce back from a slightly disappointing run on better ground in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Harry Skelton attempted to dictate affairs aboard Doyen Quest during the early stages of this three-mile contest, but was first joined by Moon Rocket before Salver’s rider Caoilin Quinn upped the tempo by allowing his mount to challenge for the lead.

With Wade Out running in snatches and Jeriko Du Reponet unable to mount a sustained challenge, Salver and Doyen Quest had it between them racing over the last couple of fences and with cheek pieces applied for the first time, it was the Moore runner who finished best to score by four and a quarter lengths.

Gary Moore said: “The ground was perfect and he’s done well to win because it was a bit of a rush job after Kempton to come here.

“I don’t think Windsor suited him and he was out the back early on, then up making the running and I was wondering what Caoilin was doing as he’s a hold-up horse really.

“It proves what a big-hearted, genuine horse he is and he tries very hard. He’s had three runs in one race and still won, so fair play to him.”

Paddy Power cut Salver’s odds for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival to 33-1 from 40-1, but Moore warned his participation will be ground dependent.

He added: “It was too quick for him at Kempton and he needs to get his toe in. He shouldn’t have really run at Kempton, but he won so well at Sandown the time before we had to have a go.

“He raced behind the bridle at Kempton so we put the cheek pieces on today, he can just race lazily.

“I think people will want him to go to Cheltenham now but he will need it no quicker than good to soft for me. The ground can turn overnight that place, so you never know.

“We’ll probably give him a break now and go straight there.”