Menorah lands Supreme as Dunguib only third

Report: Cheltenham, Tuesday

Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m½f, 4yo+

MENORAH, trained by Philip Hobbs and ridden by Richard Johnson, got the Cheltenham Festival off to a rip-roaring start, although favourite backers were out of luck as the heavily-punted Dunguib could only finish third.

The five-year-old, tipped at 12-1 by Pricewise (Tom Segal) in Tuesday's Racing Post, had been beaten in two of his five previous starts.

However, Hobbs was keen to point out that the defeats had occurred when the races were muddling affairs, and in the hustle and bustle of a festival race Johnson always travelled well from just off the pace before striking clear at the penultimate fence.

The winning jockey said: "I thought a true run race would be ideal for him. I thought I might see a black and white flash, but luckily he never came."

"Menorah has not had a race to run to suit all year, especially at Ascot. He only ran in his bumper eight months ago so there is no reason why he won't improve."

An emotional owner, Diana Whateley, added: "I'm trembling from head to foot. I can't believe it. Dunguib seemed unbeatable, infallible. We are so completely thrilled and ecstatic."

Cootehill was the first to show from Fiulin as the tapes went down and the 18-strong field were greeted by the customary roar from the packed stands as they approached the first.

For General Miller his festival experience was short-lived, as he fell at the first flight, thoughhappily horse and jockey Andrew Tinkler were unscathed.

All eyes were on Dunguib, who only had a handful of horses behind him through the early stages, and the odds-on shot appeared to travel well enough for O'Connell, and after the second they moved out widest of all heading out onto the back straight.

There was precious little change to the running order with Cootehill setting a sensible pace, and it wasn't until the sixth flight that the lead changed hands with Dan Breen taking over.

Dunguib's jumping had come under microscopic scrutiny after his last victory at Leopardstown and, after being decidedly scruffy at a number of hurdles that time, he jumped much better bar a slight error at the fifth.

By now the pace had increased markedly, with McCoy hugging the inside on Get Me Out Of Here while Menorah followed Dan Breen, before striking the front at the penultimate flight.

Dunguib had come round the field and was attempting to pick up for O'Connell, but while closing the distance between him and the leaders looked too much and afterthe last punters knew their fate.

McCoy, in his ususal manner was wearing down Menorah who was showing signs of greeness out front, but the winning line arrived in time to give Hobbs, and Britain, first blood at the festival.

A trip back to Cheltenham could be the plan for Menorah next season, as Hobbs said: "I could not believe how green he was going down to the last. He's only five so there is plenty to come. My initial reaction is to go for the Champion Hurdle last year."

Runner-up McCoy said: "There are no excuses, he ran well but from the final flight I did not think he was going to get there unless the winner stopped."

His view was echoed by trainer Jonjo O'Neill, who said: "He was given a great ride. I can't criticise Richard for the ride at Ascot as it was such a mess of a race.

"This is an enormous relief, a fantastic feeling. We are out of trouble on the first race on the first day.

"I will talk to the owners but the Champion Hurdle next year could be the plan."

William Hill made Menorah a 10-1 shot for the race next year, while Boylesports went 12-1.

Dunguib's trainer, Philip Fenton, felt that a stronger early pace would have helped Dunguib, he said: "We just have to take it on the chin."

"We thought the pace would be much stronger. He travelled well enough but missed a hurdle at the top of the hill. Jumping the third last we were probably fighting a losing battle even though we were getting there slowly but surely. We were still a couple of lengths down at the last hurdle and I suppose having the last so close to the winning post might not necessarily have suited, but there you go.

Fenton also stressed that Brian O'Connell wasn't to blame, he added: "Brian felt he was a little wide, but I've no criticism of Brian whatsoever. He thought they got a couple of lengths on him turning down the hill and he didn't make the headway we thought he would.

"I suppose Punchestown is our next stop and there's a bigger chance now that we'll stay with the novices for the rest of the season. I also don't think we'll be in any great rush to jump fences with him. It's not as though we were beaten a huge margin."

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