Storming George timed his challenge to perfection to spring a surprise in the ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up and 4-5 favourite Sober Glory disputed the lead with Dan Skelton’s Sinnatra on the first circuit before the race took shape three flights from home.
Sinnatra was the first to lay down his challenge on the rail with Baron Noir coming up on his outside with Sober Glory feeling the exertions of his bold Cheltenham endeavours one of the first beaten.
However, it was the fast-finishing 16-1 shot Storming George who loomed large going best and Jack Quinlan sent him clear after the last to give Neil King a first Grade One success, with Sinnatra left two and three-quarter lengths adrift in second.
Living up to his name 😆
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 10, 2026
Storming George... storms clear in the @ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices' Hurdle 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/0D7nKxghbB
An emotional King said: "It’s fantastic to finally win a Grade One.
"We bought this horse as a store at Goffs and it’s been a fabulous journey for a wonderful owner.
"Jack gave him a smashing ride, to be honest I didn’t think he looked that happy for much of the race but when he was still there three out I knew he’d stay on.
"I pitched him into the Grade One here on Boxing Day and I don’t waste Grade One entries, but when he came home he was sick so we put a line through that.
"We probably rode him too aggressively at Kempton (when well beaten) in the Dovecote, but I knew he was better than a handicapper and I was keen to come here for this and I’m over the moon.
"He’ll jump a fence, I’m sure he’ll go novice chasing next season, he’s always been a great jumper.
"I’ve been training 30 years and to finally win a Grade One, it’s been bloody hard work, we do it day in and day out for the love of horses. It’s fantastic."
The first two could clash again over fences next term after Skelton outlined his intention to tackle the larger obstacles next season with Sinnatra.
Skelton said: "Harry got off him after Huntingdon and said 'run this horse every three weeks’ to get him some education, put some miles under his belt and he’ll man up and learn how to become a racehorse.
"He’s done that today, his jumping was very good. If we’d got beat half a length I’d have been really annoyed, but fair play to the winner who has won comfortably in the end.
"I think we’ve run a very solid race and we look forward to going chasing with him."
