Joshua makes amends at Newbury

Lord Joshua belatedly lived up to his reputation when getting off the mark over hurdles at Newbury this afternoon.

And the four-year-old`s efforts in winning the TFM Cyntergy Juvenile Novices` Hurdle may have earned him a place in the field for next month`s JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The well-touted son of King`s Theatre had proved a bitter disappointment on his hurdling debut three weeks earlier when sent off a warm favourite to take a similar contest at Kempton.

His jumping that day went to pieces after an early mistake but it was a different story here as the Nicky Henderson-trained colt, an expensive purchase off the Flat, looked an absolute natural on his way to a four-length success.

And those punters who had backed him at fancy prices for Cheltenham before his painful flop were left smiling as he re-emerged as a contender for the big race.

The 7-2 chance - who is owned by American abdassador to Britain, Will Farish - led at the fourth-last flight and stayed on strongly to hold the running-on Derivative, who made a bad mistake at the first, by four lengths.

He earned a quote of 14-1 (from 20-1) with Victor Chandler for the Triumph, behind 10-1 favourite Londoner.

'This horse is a fantastic jumper,' said Henderson. 'He got all in a muddle on his debut and everything went wrong but he has obviously come on for the experience.

'When you get these colts you can`t train them in the same way as you do the geldings.

'I am delighted he`s won and we`ll have to think about the Triumph, especially with it looking so open this year.'

Henderson and stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald were quickly back in the winner`s enclosure after wrapping up a double when 4-9 favourite Irish Hussar made light work of his rivals in the Arkell`s 3B Bitter Novices` Hurdle.

He too may take up an engagement over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival but Henderson emphasised that the six-year-old`s future lies firmly over fences.