Vulcanite staked his claim for a place in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with an effortless victory in the Novices’ Hurdle at Southwell.
The 1-4 shot landed the prize in pleasing style at his second start over jumps following his pleasing first run when runner-up to Tetlami at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Always in the front rank, the Charlie Longsdon-trained five-year-old led at the third last and went about his business for Paddy Brennan with the minimum of fuss.
Barely out of second gear, he pulled seven lengths clear of Spiekeroog with Vivre Libre third.
“He had to go and win like that if he’s any pretensions for Cheltenham and he won very easily,” Longsdon told At The Races.
“Not taking anything away from the second, he’s not a bad horse, but I loved his jumping and I loved his attitude.
“I think he’ll go better with a stronger gallop, but he had to learn a bit today by dropping him in. It was great we were able to get him in behind.
“He’s a bit keen still but he’s learning every time and he jumped everything brilliantly today.
“He’ll be a lot better next time and has got a bit to learn settling but in better-class races he’ll settle better.
“Cheltenham is the reason Sheikh Fahad (Al Thani, owner) has sent this horse jumping. This is his only jumper and the whole plan is to go to Cheltenham. If he’s not good enough, he’ll be running at Meydan on the Flat.
“We’ll look at a decent race somewhere in February as another stepping stone and fingers crossed he’ll be going for the Supreme Novices.”
PA AAP TURF
