'He's very exciting' - Hillview hat-trick helps maintain Hanmer's hot run

Sunday: Stratford

Gary Hanmer believes a change in Hillview's boisterous attitude has worked wonders after he racked up a hat-trick in the 3m2½f handicap hurdle.

The six-year-old had won his previous two starts at Southwell and recorded another wide-margin victory here with an 18-length romp under Sean Bowen, with the trainer already relishing sending him over fences next season.

He said: "He's very exciting. He's waiting to go over fences but while he's in the form he is over hurdles we might as well keep tipping away.

"He was very excitable when we first had him and lived a little bit on his nerves, he was quite edgy. He tried to do everything so quickly but he has a lovely attitude now."

Hillview's success took Hanmer's strike-rate in the last fortnight to a red-hot 31 per cent, with the trainer enjoying a career-best season, this being his 31st winner of the campaign.

"Everything's going really well and the staff I have are amazing," he added. "There's no arguments at all from my perspective and long may it continue."

Pipe on fire

David Pipe's fine form continued with an across-the-card double, headlined by Morgenstern's game victory in the 2m3½f novice handicap chase under Philip Armson.

Pipe, who also scored with Neon Moon at Wincanton, took his strike-rate in the last two weeks to an impressive 40 per cent, with ten winners in that time.

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