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Redford Road surprises Cheltenham rivals

3 minute read

14-1 shot prevails in Grade Two heat.

Racecourse : Cheltenham
Racecourse : Cheltenham Picture: (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Redford Road  caused a minor upset in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Despite having won a Warwick bumper and on his hurdling debut at Wetherby, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained five-year-old was a 14-1 outsider for this Grade Two contest, after being beaten by the reopposing Valtor on his latest appearance at Ascot.

Mossy Fen appeared the trainer's first string, ridden by his son Sam Twiston-Davies, but Redford Road outperformed his stablemate under Jamie Bargary – seeing out the three-mile distance better than 5-2 favourite Champagne Well to prevail by half a length.

Kiltealy Briggs was third, with Mossy Fen fourth and Valtor fifth.

Twiston-Davies said: "I think he was always going to be better than Champagne Well and that is why we were in the race.

"Mossy Fen is a four-year-old and this one is six, so he (Mossy Fen) is more one for the future. This is lovely and that was very impressive.

"I thought we could turn the form around with Valtor as at one time it looked like we were in front (at Ascot) and we hoped a change of distance and a swing in the weights would help.

"I'm sure that has helped him – going up to three miles. It was a good slog so I'm sure he is a stayer in the making.

"That is his third start over hurdles and his second win, so it is very exciting.

"Let's see how he is, but he will probably have one run and then come back for the Albert Bartlett at the Festival."


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