IMPOSING WIN FOR NICKY’S TOI

IMPOSE Toi announced himself as a possible Stayers’ Hurdle contender when coming out on top in a thrilling battle with Strong Leader at Newbury.

- ADAM MORGAN

There were several still in with chances at the third-last flight in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle, with Ahoy Senor setting a sedate pace and the likes of Doddiethegreat and Hewick tracking him.

It soon boiled down to the two market leaders though, with Sean Bowen kicking for home on Strong Leader, who had won the race last year.

Despite a mistake at the last, Impose Toi (6-5 favourite) found plenty for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson's charge is now an 8-1 chance with Coral for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Henderson said: “He didn’t jump as well as he can do there and we tried him over fences but it wasn't for him, so here we are back over hurdles.