First Drift chalks up winner number six for Case at Newbury

The Wardington Gate Farm handler saddled the eight-year-old to win the Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust HOPE Programme Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Max Kendrick.

Case said: “A flat galloping track like Newbury suits First Drift, he still made jumping errors but has the scope to cope with them. He has a lot of ability so we’re really pleased he’s won another race for us and I hope he can win again this season.

“That was his first run in a handicap hurdle, we’ve no plans for him at the moment but if he gets too high a mark over hurdles we can always go back over fences with him. The key is going on a flat track.

“Aintree is a possibility but that’s a slightly tighter track than Newbury so one of the three mile races there might be an option. He won over three miles in his point-to-point so going back up in trip may suit him there.”

And fellow Edgcote trainer Alex Hales also had a winner on the same card.

The Trafford Bridge handler sent out Huntsman Son to win the BetVictor Novices’ Chase. The nine-year-old was ridden by Kielan Woods.

And fellow Edgcote trainer Alex Hales also had a winner on the same card.

The Trafford Bridge handler sent out Huntsman Son to win the BetVictor Novices’ Chase.

The nine-year-old was ridden by Kielan Woods and Hales said: “He’s always been a nice horse and we’re glad to see him prove how good he is.”