18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Shantou impressive at Cheltenham

Shantou Village and Noel FehilyShantou Village and Noel Fehily
© Photo Healy Racing

The former Denis Murphy 'pointer' Shantou Village followed up his debut success over the smaller obstacles with a convincing victory in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Winner of a point-to-point and a bumper, the Neil Mulholland-trianed five-year-old supplemented his Carlisle win in scintillating fashion.

Champers On Ice led to the second-last, where Shantou Village (9/2) went on and put the race to bed very quickly in the hands of Noel Fehily.

He had pulled 15 lengths clear at the line, with the 5-6 favourite Penglai Pavilion only third in a four-runner affair for Grade Two honours.

Fehily said: "He's a very nice horse. He won the last day at Carlisle, but didn't learn an awful lot.

"He's a very, very good jumper. This horse will only get better, which is nice."

Mulholland said: "He won very, very well and we were very, very happy. We still don't know how good he is.

"He'll probably come back on trials day and we'll see if he wants two-five or three miles. He might be better stepping up in trip.

"He's lazy - he only does what you ask him to do - and he's a lovely horse to have in the yard."