Harry Cobden excited by hurdle newcomers as Paul Nicholls bags treble

Trainer Paul Nicholls landed a treble, including with a pair of jumping debutants in both divisions of the 2m3½ maiden hurdle, to further strengthen his hand with young talent.

The precedent was set by Mr Glass for owners John and Jess Dance, whose colours are becoming a regular sight over jumps having been made famous on the Flat by stars like Laurens.

Harry Cobden was aboard the 4-6 favourite, who repelled the late challenge of 125-1 outsider Welsby to score by four lengths.

The jockey told Sky Sports Racing: "He was a short price and expected to do the job. He's an easy ride, he never pulls and is just a fabulous individual. Looking at the size of him, he'll be a better horse next year and a serious chaser one day."

In the second division, Stage Star, who was placed in a Grade 2 bumper last season, showed his class when beating Deeper Blue by six lengths under Cobden.

The jockey said: "He's done it the hard way, first time over hurdles and making the running, and he's jumped impeccably. He's having a good blow and will come on for it."

The Nicholls treble was completed when Henri The Second made a winning debut under conditional jockey Lorcan Williams in the bumper.

Johns ends wait for a winner

Alan Johns ended a 152-day drought when galvanising the Tim Vaughan-trained Eva's Oskar, who was winning for the first time over fences in the 2m7½f novice handicap chase.

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