Garde La Victoire returns to hurdles in Champion style

Garde La Victoire, probably waving goodbye to hurdles, took Ffos Las's biggest race – the Welsh Champion Hurdle – in style to round off a fine afternoon for Philip Hobbs.

A faller when fancied for Grade 1 novice chase contests at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last term, the seven-year-old reverted to hurdles for something of a confidence boost.

As such, it was a profitable exercise as Garde La Victoire held off the persistent challenge of Welsh Shadow – owned by Ffos Las boss Dai Walters – to pocket the first prize of almost £19,000.

Results and analyses

It was a classy performance from the former Greatwood Hurdle winner, who put aside doubts that the softening ground would hamper his chances as he defied top weight under Richard Johnson.

But while Hobbs had spoken beforehand of Diana Whateley's horse being on the verge of Champion Hurdle class, a return to fences looks the most likely option.

And the first port of call could be Exeter at the beginning of next month for a crack at the Haldon Gold Cup.

"I suppose he'll go up something like 10lb for winning this and that leaves him a long way off Champion Hurdle class," said Hobbs.

"Richard thinks he's stronger than last year, so hopefully he'll jump fences a lot better. Fencing has to be the way forward. We just need to hope he jumps a bit better than last year."

The victory capped a grand couple of hours for Hobbs and Johnson, who look to have a couple of decent novice hurdlers on their hands in Defi Du Seuil and Copper Kay, both of whom built on promising bumper campaigns with debut victories over hurdles.

Of the two, it was Defi Du Seuil who caught the eye, the French import easing home by five lengths in the 2m juvenile contest and throwing his hat into the ring for a possible trip to Cheltenham next month.

"The opposition was a bit ordinary but he beat them well, like we hoped he would," said Hobbs.

Copper Kay, who ran well in defeat at both Aintree and Punchestown last spring, did not win in the manner of a 1-6 shot but still had way too much class for her three rivals in the 2m mares' maiden event.

Hobbs added: "You would hardly say she was impressive and she was probably more workmanlike than anything. She could have had more respect for her hurdles but it's something she'll learn from."

Daddy strong legs

There may have been only four runners, but there was nothing wrong with the quality in the 3m novice chase won by Minella Daddy.

Despite being a bit wayward at his fences, the Peter Bowen-trained six-year-old dented a couple of lofty reputations as he finished strongly to see off Whataknight by six lengths.

"Even though he went right-handed at his fences, his jumping won him the race because he was gaining a couple of lengths at some of them," said winning jockey Sean Bowen.

His father added: "It was a good race, even though there were only four in it. It wouldn't have been any more competitive if there had been ten runners."

Thought for the day

The decision to switch the Welsh Champion Hurdle from midwinter to October paid off. No longer clashing with the start of rugby's Six Nations Championship, the meeting attracted a good crowd. It was just a shame the course – which had barely seen a drop of rain in weeks – was hit by a torrential downpour just 90 minutes before the big race.