Pipesmoker

All the talk after the opening novices' hurdle was about the winner Sporting John, and he was impressive, but the runner-up Pipesmoker ran well to chase him home, and his performance may have been overlooked a little. It looked like Nicky Henderson's horse was travelling worst of the four runners as they raced to the home turn, but he stayed on well from the second last flight to get past the talented Master Debonair to take second place, and he ran all the way to the line.

This was just Pipesmoker's third run, it was just his second over hurdles, and it was his first run over two and a half miles. Second in his bumper on his racecourse debut at Huntingdon last May, and a close-up third behind his stable companion Chantry House and Stolen Silver at Cheltenham's December meeting on his hurdling bow, he saw out this trip well, and he handled the ground well, and he should improve for this. He will be of interest over two and a half miles again next time or even over further.

Ascot, 15^th February 2020

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