Menorah surprise in Supreme Novices' Hurdle

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Menorah and Richard Johnson clear of Get Me Out Of Her and Dunguib as they appoach the winning line

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Phillip Fenton and Dunguib will now head to the Punchestown Festival

Cheltenham Live - Day 1

Philip Hobbs' Menorah edged out Get Me Out Of Here in a thrilling finish to the Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, with the Irish 'banker' Dunguib only third.

The latter, a hugely impressive winner of last season's Champion Bumper, was sent off at 4-5 to maintain his unbeaten record over obstacles, and was ridden with confidence by Brian O'Connell.
He went in pursuit of Menorah (12-1) and Get Me Out Of Here (9-2) in the straight, but could not reel them in.

Menorah, by contrast, found plenty for pressure under Richard Johnson to hold off totesport Trophy winner Get Me Out Of Here by a head, with Dunguib another length and three-quarters further adrift.

The winning jockey said afterwards: 'On a couple of days this year it didn't work out for him, but today it has done and it's great to have it.

'It was a false-run race (at Ascot last time) but I always thought Cheltenham would be ideal for him with a true-run race.'

Get Me Out Of Here's trainer Jonjo O'Neill added: 'It was a great race, what a start to the Festival, it's just a shame we were second rather than first!

'There were no excuses - he had a great preparation and the best horse won on the day.

'This was the plan, but we'll see how we come out of it and think about Liverpool. He might jump a fence next season, but he could still be good enough for the big hurdle races.'

Dunguib's trainer Philip Fenton said: 'First of all, we thought the pace would be much stronger, although he did travel well enough.
"He missed a hurdle out at the top of the hill and jumping the third last, we were probably fighting a losing battle.

'Brian felt they just got a couple of lengths on him coming round the bend and we were still that far down at the last. I wouldn't put the ground down as an excuse and although Brian felt he was a bit wide, I have no criticism whatsoever over his riding.

'After this, I think Punchestown will still be the next stop, but my inclination is to continue down the novice route with him.'