Former pointers excel at Newbury Former Colin Bowe point-to-pointer Daklondike ended a lean spell for David Pipe by claiming the gallant Grand Vision late on in the Betfred Mandarin Handicap Chase at Newbury yesterday. Colin Tizzard's almost-white Grand Vision had led his rivals a merry dance, jumping with great enthusiasm for an 11-year-old. Daklondike was one of the first off the bridle, but Tom Scudamore kept at it and at the last he took over. It was slow-motion stuff, but Daklondike (6/1) prevailed by three lengths with Knockanrawley back in third. "He's one of those you've got to just keep on pushing and hope it comes right," said Scudamore. "He's really taken to chasing and for a five-year-old to do that today, he's improved 19lb already. Meanwhile Brave Eagle, a former runner 'between the flags' in Ireland for Ronnie O'Leary, came from the clouds to claim an unlikely success in the Betfred Wishing You A Very Happy New Year Handicap Hurdle. On the day it was revealed Nicky Henderson had been honoured by the Queen, he cheered home a winner at his favourite track. Having looked the first beaten down the back straight as Theligny stretched the field, Nico de Boinville persevered on Brave Eagle (11/4) and while last year's winner fought back, Henderson's charge won going away in the end, . Henderson said of the half-length victor: "That was one of the most extraordinary races I've seen for a long time. "We ran him the other day in horrible ground at Exeter and I thought he hated it, but it was so bizarre I thought I'd give him one more try. "At halfway I was thinking the same again and we'd keep him for the spring, but he crept back into it, although I don't know how he got up. Good old Nico." In the big one Fergal O'Brien signed off what has been an exceptional year in perfect fashion after Poetic Rhythm (campaigned in points over here by Thomond O'Mara and Roisin Hickey) provided him with a first Grade One success in the Betfred Challow Novices' Hurdle. Having broken his seasonal-best tally back in April, along with claiming a maiden Grade Two winner at Sandown in February, the Naunton handler celebrated another landmark achievement as the six-year-old came out on top in a thrilling renewal. After chasing down long-time leader Mulcahys Hill, the 15-8 favourite forged on over the last in the hands of Paddy Brennan, before repelling the late fightback from the brave Warren Greatrex-trained runner by a short head. O'Brien said: "That is our first Grade One and I'm absolutely over the moon. When the chips are down you know you want 'George' on your side. He is just so tough. "We had the right horse and jockey on our side and he has really dug deep. Three weeks ago he was at the vets with colic. We are so lucky to have such good people around us. "I think he will be better on better ground, but he is so tough. He will go straight to Cheltenham for the Albert Bartlett." While O'Brien praised the courage of the winner, who was introduced at 25-1 for the Albert Bartlett by Paddy Power and RaceBets, he was quick to acknowledge the efforts of rider Brennan. He said: "Chris (Coley) pays the bills, I train them and Paddy is in charge really! "I've always said Paddy is a huge part of the team, it was Paddy who said to come here and it has paid off." Greatrex said of the runner-up: "It nearly paid off. It was the only way we were going to do it and it nearly paid off. He came back again and he is a fighter this horse. "He (Heskin) said if he had come to him early he would have had him. It is hard to take. We had a game plan and it nearly paid off. "You are always worrying they will fold, but he is so hardy and loved the ground and he skipped round the back and made it look easy. "He will be better over three miles and he will look even better over three. He takes his races quite hard as he gives it everything. "
