Nicky Henderson and JP McManus look to have another bright prospect on their hands as Jeriko Du Reponet cruised clear to land the Coral Committed To Safer Gambling 'Introductory' Hurdle at Newbury this afternoon.
The French-bred point-to-point winner had been all the rage following an impressive gallop a few months ago and shot to the head of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle market after an easy maiden hurdle victory at Newbury earlier this month.
Today's task would ask a sterner question of the Henderson-trained four-year-old with previous winners Secret Squirrel and Paradias waiting in the wings should the 2/5 favourite falter. However, as was the case on the opening day of December, the JP McManus-owned gelding barely had to come out of second gear to retain his unbeaten record.
None of the riders were seemingly keen to take up the early running and, in all truth, the start was something of a farce as it took a near 30 seconds for the five contenders to break into any sort of stride.
Gary Moore landed the prize twelve months ago with a 66/1 chance and it was his Officer Of State who eventually decided to take the field along. James Bowen, who was stepping in for the injured Nico de Boinville, always looked content with his position in second place. The pair jumped their way into contention over the second last and although Paradias made a promising move from towards the rear of the field, he failed to live with the gears of the winner, who was barely extended to cruise clear for a three- and three-quarter length success.
Paradias' run petered out on the soft ground and Secret Squirrel rallied well to grab the second spot.
Bowen, who also teamed up with his boss to land the opening contest by a wide margin on Sprint Note, told Racing TV: "I didn't want to really make the running on my own on an inexperienced horse but thankfully Gary Moore's horse went on."
"We hacked around but once I gave him a squeeze, he really quickened for me."
"I was never really in any doubt and when I did squeeze him, he gave me some feel. He's obviously a smart horse."
Jeriko Du Reponet remains the general 6/1 favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
