Shanagh Bob upsets the odds in match to claim first chase win before heading for the sales

Grade 2-winning novice hurdler Shanagh Bob will go to the sales as a winner over fences after he held off Ballintubber Boy in a match for the 3m novice handicap chase.

Sent off the evens second favourite, he jumped well under James Bowen before battling clear in the straight to win by a length and a half.

The seven-year-old had looked promising early in his career, winning at Cheltenham in December 2023 before finishing fourth in a Grade 1 at Aintree. But he struggled in his two starts over fences at the start of last season before reverting to hurdles to compete in the big staying handicaps.

Shanagh Bob is among seven horses from Nicky Henderson's yard set to go under the hammer at the Goffs UK Spring Sale..

"It's a shame there were only two runners but these things happen at this time of year," Henderson said. "He jumped well there and I'm really happy with him. He's always been a lovely horse and is very straightforward to train. 

"It's fair to say he's not quite been as nice as we thought he'd be but he's won well and he's still got a bright future. He'll go to the Doncaster sales now."

Dan's double

Dan Skelton had two winners on the day. Service Minimum scored at 1-2 in the 2m mares' novice hurdle and Lady Jago landed the 2m4f mares' handicap chase.

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