Jennie Candlish's six-year-old lands the first race in style as racing returns to the home of the Randox Grand National, while Imperial Saint makes a winning debut over fences
Skyjack Hijack grabbed a hat-trick of successes in the opener, the Barrie Wells Trust Box4Kids Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle as racing returned to the home of the Randox Grand National for the first time this season.
Candlish's partner and assistant, Alan O'Keeffe, assistant to said: "His confidence is coming. He was very good at Perth last time and likes this better ground. He jumps, stays and is very uncomplicated. It's definitely on the radar and he seems fine coming back in, so hopefully he'll be okay to run again. He'll go there without penalty and we'll have a chat with the owners.
Trained by the legendary rider's former boss Philip Hobbs and Jonathan White, the six-year-old took to the bigger obstacles in fine style. He led almost from start to finish and took advantage of the final-fence mishap by Moveitlikeminnie's, who ran out and unseated Tom Bellamy when challenging the winner before the final hurdle.
He said: "It was fantastic. He is a horse that we started the racing syndicate last year and it was great fun last year, he won a couple of novice hurdles. And to come here first time was great. He has jumped well at home, but as you know it is different to do it on the course. He won a three-mile point-to-point but he has always shown enough speed and again he has always jumped nicely but you never know. It has been brilliant and it is a lovely syndicate who own him.
Horse Racing Aintree Grand National Haydock Racecourse Cheltenham Festival
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