Golden year continues for Boanas as Sultans Pride gives trainer a winter boost

Saturday: Kelso

Gillian Boanas is looking forward to the winter months ahead after Sultans Pride secured a second win of the season over jumps for the Lingdale-based trainer in the 3m2f handicap hurdle under Brian Hughes.

Boanas said of the lightly raced nine-year-old: "He had a few niggles in his early days, a few leg problems, but he's got over them and he just took a little bit of time to mature really.

"Brian will be in over the next couple of weeks to school him over fences and then we'll go from there. He's definitely a nice horse for the future and maybe an Eider would suit."

Boanas, who has enjoyed a career-best year on the Flat with eight winners, is looking forward to more of her jumps horses coming out, saying: "The Flat horses have been fantastic. We've got 20 jumps horses in at the minute and we've probably got the nicest bunch we've ever had."

Sultans Pride's victory completed a double on the day for Hughes, who had already guided his former Cheltenham Festival winner Mister Whitaker to a first success since being sold for £70,000 and switched to Donald McCain's yard in the 2m6½f novice hurdle.

On a good day for the veterans, the former Paul Nicholls-trained Brelan D'As recorded his first success for new handler Ben Haslam in the 2m1f handicap chase under Richie McLernon.

Brian Hughes: kick-started a double aboard old friend Mister WhitakerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Worthwhile trip

The near 600-mile round trip was made worthwhile for the Olly Murphy team as Calipso Collonges landed the feature 2m5½f handicap chase.

Making a first appearance since ending last season with a fourth-placed finish in a Grade 3 at Aintree, the nine-year-old looked a class above his rivals under Fergus Gregory on what was the conditional jockey’s only ride on the card.

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