'I've always liked him' - McManus buy Gitche Gumee makes smooth hurdling debut

Thursday: Stratford

Alan King trained Grade 1 winners Yanworth, Uxizandre and Franchoek for JP McManus, and in Gitche Gumee the pair have another bright prospect.

The leading owner swooped after the four-year-old won a Kempton bumper in March and must have been pleased by what he saw in the 2m½f novice hurdle, with Gitche Gumee strolling to a 13-length win.

King said: "It was a lovely start, I couldn't be more pleased. I've always liked him, he's matured quite a bit through the summer and I'm delighted JP has another good one with me.

"The horse who finished ninth in his bumper went on to win the Cambridgeshire for Mick Channon and the second won at Fakenham yesterday."

King is keen to bide his time with his youngster, but pointed towards his breeding and scope when asked to assess his potential.

"There's plenty of pace in the pedigree as Geos is in there," he said. "I want to keep him to two miles for now, but he will get further. He's only four, but he's a big scopey horse so let's hope he's lucky."

Skelton warning

Midnight River was cut to 8-1 for next month's Paddy Power Gold Cup after winning the 2m3½f handicap chase, but his trainer Dan Skelton issued a warning over the form.

He said: "Moonlighter belted one early and he's managed to come through and finish second so I don't want to get carried away as the race looked to fall apart.

"He could possibly go for the Paddy Power and if it was soft we'd consider it."

Results, replays and analysis

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