Elsafeer (left) holds off favourite Rajnagan for a Listed success
PICTURE: Getty ImagesElsafeer on top for Johnson and Vaughan
Report: Kempton, Sunday
williamhill.com - The Home of Betting Novices' Hurdle (Listed) 2m, 4yo+
ELSAFEER continued his progression when holding off Rajnagan after the final hurdle to make it two wins in three starts since joining Tim Vaughan.
The six-year-old had shown good form when with Neil Mulholland, winning twice, and made most of the running for Richard Johnson to win by half a length.
A winner last time out at Worcester, Elsafeer came through the inside on the opening turn to take the lead from Book'Em Danno, an advantage he would not relinquish.
Down the back staight Rajnagan looked the obvious danger, travelling sweetly for DominicElsworth just behind the leader.
Rounding the final turn, that duo plus Book'Em Danno and Greylami broke clear, with Elsafeer appearing a vulnerable target to the favourite.
However the race came down to the final hurdle with Rajnagan losing momentum with a not entirely fluent jump, allowing Johnson and Elsafeer to score.
The winning jockey said: "He seems to enjoy good ground, he wouldn't want extremes of going. He is very straightforward. Tim bought him relatively cheaply and he has done well already.
"Although it was a Listed race a lot of the better ones are yet to show their hands but he is a lovely horse who is sure to make a chaser at some point."
