Nicky Henderson trainer of On The Blind Side© Photo Healy Racing
Nicky Henderson's On The Blind Side stayed on powerfully to win Cheltenham's Grade 2 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
Coming down the hill he looked like being a poor third at best as Poetic Rhythm and Momella surged clear rounding the home turn.
Even approaching the last the finish seemed certain to involve those two, but On The Blind Side (9-2) and Nico de Boinville powered past, eventually winning by two and a half lengths to remain unbeaten. Momella got the verdict for second
Henderson said: "I'll be disappointed if we are not back here in a year's time for one of the novice chases, because that's what it's all about.
"It looks like he wants three miles, but he's quite a baby. He went up hills better than he came down them.
"He's won a point-to-point and two hurdles, but he's still a baby. He's quickened up really well in the end. He won't be running in handicaps.
"If you were to say anything (in March) it would be the Albert Bartlett, but that's a long way off."
The winner, who was given a 16-1 quote for that race by Betfair, won a point-to-point on debut for Paul Cashman.
