'He's the best we've had in a long time' - Nickle Back a rock star for Humphrey

Downpours could do nothing to dampen the spirits of trainer Sarah Humphrey after exciting prospect Nickle Back romped to a 30-length success in the 2m3f novice hurdle.

The five-year-old stretched away from his rivals after taking up the running before halfway under a cool ride from Nick Scholfield.

"I wasn't concerned about anything catching him," said Humphrey. "I told Nick to get him into a good rhythm, into his comfort zone and to stay there, not to worry about anyone else.

"He's the best we've had in a long time and is too good to risk on firm. We've waited for a bit of cut in the ground, but I didn't think it was going to rain quite as much at this though!"

The wide-margin winner was runner-up on his hurdling debut when sent off at 66-1 at Southwell in March.

"The price that day was ridiculous, we loved it," the trainer added. "We knew then he was a good horse and finishing second allowed him to remain a novice for this season. We'll probably go for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle next at the first Cheltenham meeting."

Radical triumph

Nickle Back's dazzling performance was swiftly followed by another as Reallyradical defied top weight to win the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle.

The Chris Gordon-trained eight-year-old revelled in the testing conditions to land the 3m2f contest by 23 lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

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