Phil Kirby cannot help but think big for Ben after dominant chasing debut
One step at a time was the message trainer Phil Kirby was looking to stick to after Top Ville Ben ran out a convincing winner of the 3m novice chase, but it was hard for him to keep the smile off his face as he said it.
The six-year-old was useful over hurdles, reaching a peak rating of 142 before his jumping started to fall to pieces at the beginning of the year.
However, there was barely a twig out of place on his chasing debut as he drew away from Grade 2 hurdle winner Donna’s Diamond to score stylishly for jockey Tom Dowson and the Harbour Rose Partnership.
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