3 minute read
Pertemps Final aim for winner.
Diablo De Rouhet continued his rags to riches tale after forming the middle leg of a treble for Nicky Henderson in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Newbury.
Picked up for just 300 euros by connections, the bargain buy six-year-old secured a third victory from four starts this season when running out a facile four-length winner of the three-mile affair.
Joint-owner David White said: "He was bought for 300 euros in Ireland, where he failed to complete in two point to points.
"We brought him back and the wife took him out and she has done all the work on him. He has won dressage competitions, hunted and showjumped."
The Seven Barrows handler was surprised by how well Diablo De Rouhet, who holds an entry in the Ladbrokes Trophy at the track later this month, performed on his first start over hurdles in almost a year.
Henderson added: "I pulled him out of bed a bit early this morning just to bring him back down to hurdles.
"Nico was there and I said to just jump four hurdles on him, and you wouldn't know he had been jumping fences as he was so slick.
"You could work backwards from the Pertemps Final. He is in everything and anything, including the Ladbrokes Trophy."
Son Of Camas left his below-par debut at Punchestown in April well behind to complete Henderson's hat-trick when defeating stablemate Timberman by two lengths in the British Horse Society Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Henderson said of 8-1 winner: "I thought he was a decent horse and I didn't send him over to Punchestown for the fun of it, but he ran a shocker.
"He was lost after 100 yards and he made me look like a complete clown, but at least he showed me what he can do today.
"He is a lovely, big horse and although his schooling is good, he needed another bumper to get his brain into gear. He will go over hurdles now."
Dual Grade One-winning hurdler Champ (8-13) got the ball rolling for Henderson after making a winning start over fences with a three-and-a-half-length success in the KKA-Highpoint Beginners' Chase.
Silver Forever set herself up for a return to the track and a step up in class after surviving a stewards' inquiry to hold Floressa at bay by a short head in the CSP Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Trainer Paul Nicholls said of the 7-4 winner: "It was good job it rained last night, otherwise I probably wouldn't have run her. That is quick as she would want it.
"She will come back for the Listed race on Ladbrokes Trophy day. Posh Trish did the two races and we just pray it is soft ground. Over two miles, the slower the ground the better for her as she wants a trip."
Sir Valentine made amends for a final-flight fall at Chepstow last time out when pulling smartly clear to take the Agetur UK Novices Hurdle by two and three-quarter lengths.
Nigel Twiston-Davies, winning trainer, said: "It's debatable (if he would have won last time out), but he didn't because he fell.
"He jumped superbly this time and did everything well. We will find something small again, that's the idea.
"I couldn't be more pleased as he had a lot of time off and we have to be careful with him."
