Champ delivers knockout blow in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury
The exciting novice hurdler was punted off the boards and landed the odds in pleasing style
THE well-punted Champ lived up to the hype in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson's exciting novice hurdler was backed off the boards and delivered in fine style under Barry Geraghty.
The early tempo was tepid as Coolanly (14-1) cut out steady fractions under Paddy Brennan.
He tried to quicken the pace turning in to the straight, but Geraghty always seemed confident in midfield aboard Champ.
However, Getaway Trump (10-1) loomed up and looked a big danger under the in-form Harry Cobden.
But a slick jump at the last and a fine turn of foot saw Champ stretch clear on the run-in to win a shade cosily.
A delighted Barry Geraghty said: "He did pull away in the end after he was a little keen today. It was a bit of a tricky race but he got it done.
"The pecking order could be different in a proper test but I'd hope mine would still be on top."
The winner is now a general 5-1 shot for the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival.