Whiteoak shows World Hurdle potential

Report: Kempton, Monday

Starlight Children's Foundation Mares' Hurdle (Listed Race) 3m 1/2f

WHITEOAK revealed the potential for Ladbrokes World Hurdle glory when landing a first victory since her 2008 David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle win at the Cheltenham Festival on her first try at further than 2m5f.

Whiteoak was thought of as a Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle contender after that runaway win at Cheltenham but had already been quoted as short as 12-1 with Totesport for the World Hurdle before Monday's attempt at the testing distance.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite, Whiteoak was still pulling Jason Maguire double as they left the back straight for the final time and was eased alongside Amber Brook, whom she had tracked in fourth throughout.

Wychwoods Legend still led the way, but was hard driven by Warren Marston, much like Dansimar, the only other runner still in with a chance as they jumped two from home.

Whilst Whiteoak took coaxing from Maguire to hit the front, once the Donald McCain-trained six-year-old got there she bounded away to win by sevenlengths.

Winning owner Brendan Richardson said: "She's been crying out for this step up in trip - the likes of Celestial Halo and Binocular have taken her off her feet.

"We could be looking at the World Hurdle - it's an option. We wanted to see if she would get three miles. We couldn't be more pleased with her, she won so easily."