Hobson beats Eagle in Warwick Grade 2 Thomas Hobson led home a one-two for Willie Mullins in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Warwick. The two-mile-five-furlong event, better known as the Leamington, was dominated by the winner, with Danny Mullins setting out his stall early on the ex-John Gosden-trained runner. Thomas Hobson had won two of his four previous hurdles outings and he was well in control three flights from home, with only Open Eagle launching any kind of challenge. However, the 5-1 shot crashed through the last hurdle when still in the lead, losing valuable momentum and allowing Open Eagle to close right up. Thomas Hobson dug deep, though. and found plenty for Mullins, clinging on to victory by two and a half lengths, with Definite Outcome a further six lengths back in third. Born Survivor was sent off the 6-4 favourite but he faded out of contention as the race began in earnest. Danny Mullins said: "He got the job done and was tough. He jumped great all the way and got a bit lonely going to the last two. I didn't want to go asking him too much until one came to me and when it did, he responded very well in the last furlong. "He's learned a lot from the last day and since he fell the first time over hurdles, he's done nothing but improve. He needs to brush up again but on what he's shown us so far, there's no reason to say he won't. "I let him bowl along, he jumped well and I think he'll step forward. Hopefully by the time we get to March he'll have plenty of brains to do what he needs to. "The ones who have won their Grade Ones like Long Dog are probably in front of him still, but he's doing nothing but improve all the time. He handled that ground today and on better ground he might be able to go along at his own pace with more ease." Thomas Hobson was given an opening quote of 33-1 for the Neptune with Paddy Power.
