Thomas Darby goes the distance for Murphy at Newbury

Thomas Darby ended his long wait for a victory to down favourite Paisley Park in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

Olly Murphy’s eight-year-old had failed to score in six efforts since his last visit to the winner’s enclosure in January 2020 but, having filled the places in his first two efforts over three miles, finally showed his stamina to keep on past his rivals.

Former Stayers Hurdle champion Paisley Park, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, had looked to be battling out the finish with Nicky Henderson’s On The Blind Side, but the pair were joined by the winner and Irish raider Mrs Milner between the final two flights to make a line of four.

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Thomas Darby, who had finished fourth behind Indefatigable in the West Yorkshire Hurdle last month, appeared in trouble turning for home but stayed on bravely under jockey Sean Bowen to win by just over two lengths.

Murphy is now looking at the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot next and a potential shot at the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, for which Sky Bet are offering 20/1.

Exciting Jonbon shines on hurdling debut

Jonbon‘s hurdles debut lived up to pre-race hype as Nicky Henderson’s exciting star, a full brother to multiple Grade One winner Douvan, won impressively in the two-mile maiden hurdle.

The field made a crawling start to the race in what appeared to be an attempt to rile up the 10/11 favourite, who had been on edge before the off.

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Jonbon wins at Newbury on hurdles debut under jockey Aidan Coleman

But, the five-year-old went smoothly to the front and had main market rival Good Risk At All in trouble a long way out, with rider Aidan Coleman – deputising for the injured Nico de Boinville – not needing to ask his mount many questions as they cruised away from the field.

After celebrating his 1,000th jumps winner on Thursday, trainer Gary Moore landed another graded success as Nassalam survived in a dramatic four-runner novices’ chase.

Paul Nicholls’ Pic D’Orhy had looked set to cruise to victory until falling three from home, with new leader Millers Bank then unseating rider Harry Bannister at the very next fence. Tom Lacey’s Chepstow winner Tea Clipper finished a distant second.

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Stage Star, right, on his way to an easy victory at Newbury

Stage Star looks to have booked his spot in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle next month after making light work of the opener on Friday’s card.

The five-year-old could follow the route of stablemate Bravemansgame after barely stepping out of second gear to take the same two-and-a-half-mile novices’ hurdle at Newbury, beating Unanswered Prayers and Kincardine.

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Venetia Williams’ Fanion D’Estruval also proved to be in a different class, winning the Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Handicap Chase with ease under a top-weight carrying performance from Charlie Deutsch.

Not Available was a surprise winner of the Fulke Walwyn Trophy, beating well-fancied pair Solo and Mister Coffey to take the class three event at odds of 14/1 for Stan and Matt Sheppard.

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