Balko Saint cut to 12-1 for Boodles after overcoming pre-race tumble

Chester Williams and Balko Saint avoided a scare when falling on the walkway but quickly recovered in time to enjoy success in the 1m7½f novice hurdle and set up a Cheltenham Festival bid.

The four-year-old was fine following his pre-race tumble and was ridden from the front. He and the tracking Robin's Dream set a strong pace with the rest out of contention on the turn for home.

Robin's Dream, sent off the 11-10 favourite, headed Balko Saint after jumping the penultimate hurdle but Williams' mount stayed on powerfully in the closing stages to reclaim the lead and win by a neck.

Third at Cheltenham behind Duffle Coat and Adagio last time, Balko Saint is poised to return to the track for his next start and was slashed to 12-1 (from 20-1) for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

"It wasn't an ideal start," said Chester Williams. "He's a nice horse and he's done everything right. He ran a blinder the last day at Cheltenham and that was a strongly-run race and the form has worked out well.

"We didn't want to run him before March 1 and lose his novice status so we thought we'd come here and I think now we'll go to the Boodles.

"Jamie [Moore] got first run on me, he kicked before I had. He got half a length up but I was always confident."

Elsewhere, Paddy Poem was cut to 25-1 (from 33s) for the Paddy Power Plate by the sponsors after his success in the feature 2m4f handicap chase.

Millie Wonnacott also rode out her 7lb claim on Peltwell, one of two winners for Neil Mulholland.

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