'He'll be the real deal' - Masked Man to return to Graded company after easy win as 1-14 favourite

Masked Man warmed up for a return to Graded company when making light work of his 1-14 odds in the 2m3½f novice hurdle.

The Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies-trained four-year-old finished second in a Grade 2 at Haydock last month, but made it two wins from three starts over hurdles with a hard-held victory under JJ Slevin.

Willy Twiston-Davies said: "He's a very nice horse and this was a bit of a last-minute plan. I was speaking to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's [owners] racing manager Anthony Bromley and we said this looked a weak-enough contest.

"It's got him qualified for the EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Final. We didn't want to go for the Formby Novices' Hurdle, so it'll tee him up nicely to go back into Graded company next year." 

Despite qualifying for the EBF Final at Sandown in March, it is not a certain target for Masked Man.

Twiston-Davies said: "It's nice to have him qualified, but he has a few nice options. We've always held him in high regard and think he'll be the real deal."

Moores mop up

Gary and Josh Moore took all of the prize-money in the opening 2m beginners' chase as they saddled all three runners in the contest.

Hansard justified odds of 1-5 when beating stablemates Taita Hills and Officer Of State, with the three scooping £12,000 for the yard in the process.

Getaway grabs glory

Getaway With You completed a hat-trick with a second course-and-distance win in the 2m3½f novice handicap hurdle for joint-trainers David Killahena and Graeme McPherson. 

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