'It's some good placing by the trainer' - O'Brien praised by Sir Anthony McCoy

Tuesday: Chepstow

Joseph O'Brien's decision-making was praised by Sir Anthony McCoy as Comfort Zone enjoyed a successful raid on British soil, and his choice of jockey was further justified as Jonjo O'Neill Jr recorded a 93-1 treble on the day.

The first big success for O'Neill Jr came on the O'Brien-trained Early Doors in the 2019 Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival and Comfort Zone kept on bravely to hold off Dixon Cove in the Grade 2 Finale Juvenile Hurdle to maintain the successful partnership.

Comfort Zone was cut to 14-1 (from 20) for the Triumph Hurdle and McCoy, representing winning owner JP McManus, said: "He jumps well and is a good, honest little horse. He's very straightforward and the ground is hard work so that was a good performance.

"This was a race we thought he could win, that's why he's here and its some good placing by the trainer. Joseph's good with his decisions."

Earlier on the card, O'Neill Jr gained a narrow victory on Saint Davy in the 2m3½f maiden hurdle and later on Flight Deck brought up the treble in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle.

That pair were trained by the jockey's father Jonjo O'Neill, who praised Saint Davy as a nice prospect for the yard and said: "Jonjo's had a good day and when it's going well, everything seems to go well, but when it goes badly, everything goes wrong. He enjoys it and things are going well for him, which is nice."

Fugitif far too good

The 2m3½f handicap chase looked competitive beforehand but Fugitif turned it into a one-horse race by bolting up.

Connections are now dreaming of the Cheltenham Festival and trainer Richard Hobson said: "He's always had talent, but he's had a few setbacks and we had to get his wind done as a young horse.

Fugitif bolts up in the 2m3½f handicap chaseCredit: Getty Images

"He's needed nurturing – see the size of him; that frame needed time to fill because the engine has long been there.

"I was slightly concerned because we'd lost a lot of work with him as the frost meant our gallops were written off for eight days. We managed to get him away and I think he was fit enough before the cold snap and then the break just freshened him up."

Fugitif runs in the purple silks of Carl Hinchy, who added: "He's ready for the Festival now and a heavy-ground Grand Annual might be for him, but the Plate would look the race."

Box office

Out Of Office might have been an apt winner over the Christmas period and we could be hearing much more about the four-year-old after he impressed in the 2m novice hurdle.

Owner William Rucker said: "We've got a nice crop of youngsters this year and we thought before this horse's first run for us that he was very nice.

"We all like different ones though. I think Evan [Williams] thinks this fella or L'Astroboy is our best, but I think Doyen Star is better and I think my wife likes Hurricane Highway, so who knows! But they are all winning so we're happy."

Future aim

Jamie Snowden suggested a return here for next season's Welsh National could be a long-term plan for Super Survivor following his victory in the 2m7½f novice handicap chase.

The six-year-old beat Mister Coffey by five lengths to take his overall record to three wins in five starts.

Results, replays and analysis

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