Henrietta Knight, who trains at West Lockinge, near Wantage, hailed Calgary Bay as her 'next champion' after the gelding opened his account at Cheltenham yesterday.
The four-year-old held off Snap Tie and I'msingingtheblues to capture the EBF/Boylesports.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle under Tony McCoy.
And Knight, who saddled the great Best Mate to a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins, said: "He is our next champion I hope and he is a lovely horse.
"He has already schooled over fences at home and will now probably follow the same path as Best Mate.
"He'll have one more run and go for the Supreme Novices', although he will have an entry in the SunAlliance too."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article