'They’re just coming into a bit of form' - Godot's feature success ends Andy Irvine's seven-month wait for a winner

Andy Irvine enjoyed his first winner since May when Godot got the better of Guard Duty to score by a neck in the feature 2m3½f handicap hurdle.

The Philip Armson-ridden winner was timely for Irvine, whose next runners are set to be stable flagbearer Gold Clermont and Flemen's Tipple, who provided the trainer with his only other victory of the season at Huntingdon, on Sunday. 

“They’re just coming into a bit of form,” said Irvine. “If we get the forecast rain, Gold Clermont goes to Fakenham to try and win the race she won last year again.”

Guard Duty’s rider Gavin Sheehan gained some compensation when steering Jolie Baie to victory in the 2m7f handicap hurdle.

The 6-1 winner was a third of the season for Jo Davis, the trainer’s best haul since the 2017-18 campaign.

Wade's Cheltenham aim

Olly Murphy is targeting Trials day next month with Wade Out after the five-year-old made it three wins from four starts under rules in the 2m novice hurdle.

The son of Shantou will likely step up in trip for Cheltenham's Grade 2 Classic Novices’ Hurdle after going one better than last month’s Ascot second under Sean Bowen.

Wade Out: likely to step up in trip and grade at Cheltenham next monthCredit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

That success completed a treble for Bowen, who helped Murphy’s other odds-on favourite Roaring Conquest land the 2m3½f maiden hurdle prior to winning the 2m handicap chase on the Martin Keighley-trained Bobbi's Beauty.

Fantastic four-timer

Aworkinprogress defied an 8lb rise for last month’s course-and-distance success to make it three out of three over fences in the 2m7½f handicap chase.

The Nick Gifford-trained winner was recording his fourth victory in a row under James Davies, having got off the mark over hurdles at Fontwell in March.

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