IDAHO SUN WINS GRADE 1 FORMBY NOVICES’ HURDLE

Idaho Sun delivered a perfect Christmas present for our team with a dominant success in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day in the colours of Jeremy Gear.

He’s a horse we have always rated highly and his only defeat in six starts came when he became a bit unbalanced running down the hill before finishing a creditable sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March.

He has taken really well to hurdles this season, winning twice before heading to Liverpool with a sound chance against the odds on favourite Mydaddypaddy.

Although it was not ideal to see two flights of hurdles ruled out in the straight by low sun Idaho Sun travelled stylishly just behind leaders jumping tidily until Bryan Carver seized the initiative before the omitted second last hurdle.

The favourite tracked him through looking a big danger but we knew our fellow would keep galloping and he kept on powerfully to gain the verdict by three and a quarter lengths with some useful novices well behind.

It was a highly professional performance by Idaho Sun who has earned a tilt at the Supreme Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

We will enjoy the moment before deciding if he goes straight to Cheltenham or we give him a prep run before March.

Photo Credit: John Grossick