Storming George lands Top Novices’ shock
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Storming George timed his challenge to perfection to spring a surprise in the ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up and 4-5 favourite Sober Glory disputed the lead with Dan Skelton’s Sinnatra on the first circuit before the race took shape three flights from home.
Sinnatra was the first to lay down his challenge on the rail with Baron Noir coming up on his outside with Sober Glory feeling the exertions of his bold Cheltenham endeavours one of the first beaten.
However, it was the fast-finishing 16-1 shot Storming George who loomed large going best and Jack Quinlan sent him clear after the last to give Neil King a first Grade One success, with Sinnatra left two and three-quarter lengths adrift in second.
An emotional King said: “It’s fantastic to finally win a Grade One.
“We bought this horse as a store at Goffs and it’s been a fabulous journey for a wonderful owner.
“Jack gave him a smashing ride, to be honest I didn’t think he looked that happy for much of the race but when he was still there three out I knew he’d stay on.
“I pitched him into the Grade One here on Boxing Day and I don’t waste Grade One entries, but when he came home he was sick so we put a line through that.
“We probably rode him too aggressively at Kempton (when well beaten) in the Dovecote, but I knew he was better than a handicapper and I was keen to come here for this and I’m over the moon.
“He’ll jump a fence, I’m sure he’ll go novice chasing next season, he’s always been a great jumper.
“I’ve been training 30 years and to finally win a Grade One, it’s been bloody hard work, we do it day in and day out for the love of horses. It’s fantastic.”
The first two could clash again over fences next term after Skelton outlined his intention to tackle the larger obstacles next season with Sinnatra.
Skelton said: “Harry got off him after Huntingdon and said ‘run this horse every three weeks’ to get him some education, put some miles under his belt and he’ll man up and learn how to become a racehorse.
“He’s done that today, his jumping was very good. If we’d got beat half a length I’d have been really annoyed, but fair play to the winner who has won comfortably in the end.
“I think we’ve run a very solid race and we look forward to going chasing with him (next season).”
Similar also applies to the third Baron Noir, who went one better than his Cheltenham Festival fourth to finish third this time in just his second outing in Grade One company.
Alan King said: “He’s run great and has learned to settle – he probably wants two and a half miles going forward.
“He’s finished for the season and he’ll go novice chasing next year. I might start him at two miles, but he’ll get further.
“I’m delighted for my neighbour. He’s a great man and if I couldn’t win I’m glad he did.”
Meanwhile, the Sober Glory team were another to suggest chasing could lie in wait next term after being left to consider if his Cheltenham efforts “left a bit of a mark” at the end of a fine novice hurdling campaign.
White said: “I think overall he’s run a game race. He had a contested lead, which wasn’t a problem at all, but he probably wasn’t quite as slick at his hurdles as he has been in the past.
“Perhaps Cheltenham left a bit of a mark on him, but we’ve got a very exciting horse to look forward to for next season, so that’s the most important thing.
“I would say we’ll go chasing. We’ll probably start off over two miles for his first run and progress from there.”
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