HMS Seahorse made a trendy return to motion within the Navan Handicap Hurdle, placing himself within the body for the Coral Cup on the Cheltenham Competition within the course of.
The five-year-old completed fourth within the Fred Winter at Prestbury Park final time period earlier than claiming a distant third upped to Grade One degree on the Punchestown Competition, however he had been off the observe since ending down the sector within the Irish Cesarewitch on the Curragh in September, having been gelded within the interim.
Despatched off a 15-2 shot within the palms of Sean O’Keeffe, HMS Seahorse was settled on the heels of the leaders on the rail within the two-and-half-mile warmth as 11-4 favorite Fortunate Max got down to make all.
The market chief gave a daring sight and was nonetheless in entrance leaping the final, however HMS Seahorse was travelling nicely in behind and swept by means of to seize the lead on the run to the road.
Paul Nolan’s runner went on to attain by two-and-a-quarter-lengths from Felix Desjy, with Insurgent Ivy an extra neck again in third.
Paddy Energy make HMS Seahorse a 12-1 shot for the Coral Cup, whereas additionally providing 20-1 about his possibilities within the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and the County Hurdle – though the primary occasion listed could possibly be the popular alternative for connections.
“He gave him an excellent experience. Sean stated he got here for him each time he requested him,” stated Nolan.
“He wanted to leap the final and he was lengthy at it. He appears to be leaping much better since he was gelded.
“In Galway he jumped poorly when he was odds-on favorite and the leaping simply did not work. He is a bit extra scientific now, he’d by no means go lengthy earlier than and he was superb at this time.”
Nolan added: “We would have a look at the Coral Cup with him. That is the place the lads would like to go.
“We might have to take a look at a Pertemps qualifier as nicely, it will be nice to have extra choices, however that may be tight sufficient.”
