Cheltenham-bound Fiddlerontheroof oozes class in first Grade 1 of the year

The first Grade 1 of the new year went off with a bang at Sandown as Fiddlerontheroof announced himself among the leading first-season jumpers in Britain with a runaway success in the Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle.

A race with a proven record when it comes to revealing future stars, the latest running did not disappoint as Fiddlerontheroof went further and further clear from the second last, bringing unmissable joy to winning jockey Robbie Power and vocal supporters of the 5-4 favourite.

After crossing the line six lengths to the good over Jeremys Flame, with a further 15 lengths back to the highly-touted Son Of Camas, Power made a real fuss of Fiddlerontheroof, who races in the colours of Richard O'Dwyer, Paul Taylor and Nick Burley and is unsurprisingly bound for the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Watch the replay of the Tolworth Hurdle

From a British perspective, a performance of this calibre was much needed with Envoi Allen and Abacadabras already giving Ireland a strong hand in the novice hurdle division, although whether it will be the Sky Bet Supreme or the Ballymore for the winner remains to be seen.

Bookmakers favour the Supreme, offering quotes between 7-1 and 10-1 for the festival curtain-raiser over an extended two miles, with 10-1 to 14-1 the spread of prices for the Ballymore over two miles five furlongs.

"He's got plenty of options because there's no doubt he will stay further," said Power. "If it dries up, two and a half would be your festival target and if it came up very soft on the first day, you'd probably go for the Supreme.

"I think he's stronger than when I first rode him at Chepstow and, physically, he's developing into a fine horse. He's very good."

The debate over which race to tackle will no doubt rumble on but there seems little doubt around the level of Fiddlerontheroof's ability, with connections already dreaming that he could follow the exploits of Native River, Cue Card and Lostintranslation as a top-class staying chaser to emerge from the Colin Tizzard yard.

"I can't wait for him to jump a fence next season," said Tizzard's son and assistant Joe. "He looks like he'll get further and he has point-to-point form so we know he'll jump fences. He could be very exciting."

Fiddlerontheroof impressed again at Sandown in the Tolworth Hurdle and looks the leading British contender for the Supreme Novices' HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

While renowned for their classy long-distance chasers, the Tizzards have unearthed a fine team of novice hurdlers this season, with The Big Breakaway and Master Debonair also in the melting pot for Cheltenham.

"It's certainly the best team we've had and, in an ideal world, you wouldn't want them to clash but that might have to happen," Tizzard added.

"It's something we'll worry about nearer the time, but if we can get them all there in one piece and in the form they're in now, it'll be a nice problem to have.

"This lad will have a couple of entries at Cheltenham and we'll see which way we go. We'll see what is happening ground-wise but you need to stay to win a Supreme.

"Physically he's able to handle heavy ground like today but I certainly don't think it's essential."

Jeremys Flame, placed at Graded level in a bumper and over hurdles in Ireland, gave the form a solid feel in second and trainer Gavin Cromwell was understandably delighted with the performance of the Flushfarm Racing Syndicate-owned mare.

“I’d say we'll work back from the mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival," said Cromwell. "She may run before then, there’s the Grade 3 Solerina at Fairyhouse at the end of the month and I’d love to get her to win a black-type race.

"She’s improving with every run and is a lovely mare going forward."

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