The Overbury-bred Thyme Hill, already a multiple Grade 1 winner over hurdles, led a Boxing Day to remember for the Overbury National Hunt division when notching his first win at the top level over the larger obstacles in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.
The eight-year-old son of the late Kayf Tara has been a real star for his trainer Philip Hobbs and owners The Englands and The Heywoods, winning eight of his 17 starts, including three Grade 1s and three Grade 2s, and finishing in the top three on another six occasions.
His dam Rosita Bay (Hernando) also has a four-year-old gelding by Dunaden in training with Ben Pauling who has been placed in two bumpers to date, as well as a filly and a gelding by Jack Hobbs, and a yearling filly and a filly foal by Frontiersman on the way through.
Kayf Tara was also represented by a winner at Newcastle in Lone Star, who won the handicap hurdle for Philip Kirby. The five-year-old mare was bred by Richard Johnson.
It was also a good day for Golden Horn (pictured above) under the winter code when the well-bred Golden Ace posted a highly impressive performance on debut to win the bumper at Wincanton. Out of the Dubawi mare Deuce Again, who won the Listed Further Flight Stakes for her breeders Meon Valley Stud, the four-year-old filly is trained by Jeremy Scott for Ian Gosden.
Golden Horn was also represented at Leopardstown by Nusret, who is already a winner on the Flat and recently scored on his hurdles debut at Punchestown for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Bred by Hesmonds Stud, he boosted his profile further still by taking third in the G2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Not to be left out, Schiaparelli had a Boxing Day double courtesy of Weebill, bred by Chris Sweeting and Conduit Farm, who won the opening handicap hurdle at Market Rasen, sparkling a treble at the course on the day for his trainer Olly Murphy. Raffertys Return, bred by PL Barrett, scored later at Wetherby to post his third win from just eight starts.
