Champ lives up to his name to land the Sefton Novices' Hurdle

The Nicky Henderson-trained Champ, named after Sir Anthony McCoy, paid a handsome compliment to his Ballymore Novices' Hurdle conqueror City Island when running out a good winner of the Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle under Mark Walsh.

Walsh, who stepped in to ride after Barry Geraghty suffered a leg injury in a fall from Peregrine Run in the Topham Chase, settled Champ out the back and delivered his mount in the straight to hold off the second-placed Emitom by three lengths.

"I rode him to get the trip," said Walsh of Champ, who was running over three miles for the first time. "It was always the plan get him covered up and drop the bridle.

"He was game and when I gave him a squeeze he quickened well. I'd say he'll be an even better chaser as he's so nimble for a big horse."

Champ: strides away from Emitom and Lisnagar Oscar after the final flightCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Henderson said: "I'm really sorry for Barry, but Mark gave the horse a beautiful ride and got him switched off nicely. He's a good lad.

"He was in his suit walking off the racecourse when I called him back and told him to get changed."

Henderson continued: "Because of the ground, we considered declaring Champ for the two and a half miler [Mersey Novices' Hurdle] tomorrow and taking him out of today's race, which we would have been entitled to do. But with next season in mind, we wanted to find out whether he'd be a three-miler. He's starting to live up to his name and has a lovely nature and great temperament.

Click here for the full Sefton Novices' Hurdle result, replay and analysis

"I'm not talking about McCoy, by the way, I'm talking about the horse!

"He'll be going chasing next season and is certainly one to look forward to."

Champ's win was a fifth from seven starts over hurdles and his second success at Grade 1 level, following his victory in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December.

Warren Greatrex said of Emitom, who was racing in Grade 1 company for the first time: "He's run a great race. I just thought the winner got first run on us. We tracked Champ all the way and our horse has run all the way to the line.

"He could be a Stayers' Hurdle horse next season and is going to do very well."

Lisnagar Oscar, who was on the front end for much of the contest, kept on pluckily to finish third, seven lengths behind Emitom.

Champ's performance at Aintree impressed bookmakers, several of whom made him the 8-1 favourite (from 20) for the 2020 RSA Novices' Chase.

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