Knappers Hill gets Paul Barber out of hospital and into the winner's enclosure

Saturday: Chepstow

Legendary owner Paul Barber made getting to this meeting his priority when leaving hospital on Thursday, and his determination was rewarded when Knappers Hill ran out an emphatic winner of the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle.

Barber owns the classy six-year-old along with Paul Vogt, whose silks Knappers Hill carries as a tribute to his late wife Ruth, who was particularly fond of the horse. Barber is also enthusiastic about the now eight-time winner and keeps him in his field at home in the summer.

Trainer Paul Nicholls, who rents his championship-winning stable from Barber, did a mighty job readying Knappers Hill to score first time out for the third successive season.

The winner travelled powerfully and crept into a gap on the rail following a slick move from Harry Cobden, and was able to press clear to record to a decisive win.

"I really wanted to be here, I think it was because of everything really," reflected Barber. "I wanted to see the horse, he was ready to run and I didn't want to be sat in a hospital waiting. It was magnificent, he looked so well out there."

Nicholls also took great pleasure in securing the win for the 16-5 second-favourite. He capped off last season with a valuable success in the Novices' Championship Final at Sandown, and this was another step forward for a horse the champion trainer considers a talented prospect for the season, with the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton next on the agenda on November 5.

"He's quite sharp," Nicholls said. "It's good to see him gallop all the way to the line over two and a half [miles], but he is not short of speed.

"I always half had in my mind to go to Wincanton [Elite Hurdle] with him. I just think he'd suit a fast-run race, and of the horses I've won that with before he'd be similar to those. I don't know what we'll do, but he's quite progressive and looks an interesting hurdler."

"It's great for them," Nicholls added of his passionate owners. "They're great guys for the jumping game. Paul Vogt sadly lost his wife last year so that's why he runs in these colours all the time, and Paul Barber just came out of hospital on Thursday. He was determined to be here whatever happened."

The success was one of two winners for Nicholls, who also landed the 2m3½f handicap chase with Flic Ou Voyou. Meanwhile, exciting novice chaser McFabulous was a non-runner on the day due to the ground.

Ireland strike early

It was only the second day of Britain's core jumps season, but an Irish-trained runner has already taken a big Saturday prize thanks to Peregrine Run's brave win in the Native River Handicap Chase.

The 12-year-old denied 11-8 favourite Tea Clipper by a neck to record a remarkable 20th success for trainer Peter Fahey and jockey Sam Ewing.

"At home we don't get that nice ground, he's a real summer horse," Fahey said. "Carrying weight has never been a problem, but the reason we're here is the nicer ground. If the ground had gone soft he'd have been finished for the season.

"He's a cracking horse and has won 20 races for us. He's as sound a horse as we have and it's a privilege to train him."

Winning return

Devon trainer Ella Pickard enjoyed her first winner in almost two years as Stans The Man held off some well-fancied types to win the bumper. Pickard had not had a runner since March 2021, and this was her fifth success in total.

Results, replays and analysis

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