Nicky Henderson to run Dusart again before Cheltenham Festival decision

Wednesday: Exeter

Nicky Henderson will give the promising Dusart at least one more run before making any decision about spring festival targets after the Ronnie Bartlett-owned seven-year-old made it two from two over fences in the feature 3m novice chase.

Facing just three rivals after the withdrawal of his nearest market challenger Pats Fancy, Dusart, as he did on his chasing debut at Leicester last month, jumped markedly to his left under Nico de Boinville.

However, he still ran out a comfortable 11-length winner on just his fourth career start and was called home by BHA judge Guy Lewis, who fulfilled the role as commentator for the first two races with Martin Harris stuck in traffic.

Henderson, speaking after the 2-7 favourite got the job done on his first attempt at three miles, said: "It was good education except there wasn’t any company for him.

"He didn’t go as left as he did at Leicester but then he had horses with him. He does jump very well but he’s got to stop doing that. Nico said when he had a horse beside him he was as good as gold."

The unbeaten chaser is now as short as 14-1 with some firms for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and 12-1 for the Turners with Betfred, although the Seven Barrows trainer is keen to see his lightly raced performer have another run before making any swift decisions.

"He’s doing his job well," said Henderson. "Whether he’s quite ready for that [Cheltenham] I don’t know, but we will find out when we run him again.

"I’d like to get another run into him and see what happens and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do. I think it’s definitely going to be left-handed otherwise he'll be in the car park.”

Hot Honeyball

Trainer Anthony Honeyball took both divisions of the mares’ maiden hurdle. Ben Godfrey guided Midnight Callisto to a first win over obstacles before Credo struck on her first start since a wind operation to complete the quickfire double under Aidan Coleman.

Down dominates

Trainer Chris Down saddled a one-two in the closing 2m7f handicap hurdle for a ninth success of the season – his joint-best since 2014-15 when he had 12 winners. Johnny B had looked the likely winner for Page Fuller but was pipped late on by his James Davies-ridden stablemate Raddon Top, who made it back-to-back wins at the course.

Results, replays and analysis

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