Long Draw

Long Draw was impressive in winning the three-mile handicap hurdle that rounded off proceedings at Cheltenham last Friday. Held up early on behind a moderate pace that Might I was allowed set, he was still in a share of last place with Doyen Quest as they raced to the top of the hill. Moved towards the outside on the run down the hill, he made his ground quite easily, without his rider Sean Bowen getting too serious with him. Still only seventh as they rounded the home turn, he made ground easily on the near side early in the home straight, moved into the lead on the run to the final flight, jumped the obstacle well and stayed on strongly up the hill to win by five lengths.

Olly Murphy's horse had finished second in each of his four previous races this season, including at Cheltenham's November meeting, when he came from the rear again and finished second to the progressive Hamsiyann. The fourth horse from that race, Wyenot, won a listed mares' hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday and is now rated 8lb higher than she was then. Long Draw probably put up a career-best performance here, stepped up in trip to three miles for the first time under Rules. He did well to come from as far back as he did off a moderate pace to win as well as he did, and he left the impression that he had more left to give. The handicapper raised him by 7lb to a mark of 127, but he is only five and he remains wholly unexposed at staying trips. He has the potential to go well beyond that mark.

Cheltenham, 13^th December 2024