Cobwebs blown away to victory

A “buzzy” type cruises to victory, while one jockey breaks his duck on his 35th attempt

- GEMMA REDRUP

Avon Vale, Larkhill, Wiltshire

ENVOYE SPECIAL won the second division of the conditions (level two), going away under defending men’s champion point-to-point jockey James King and for trainer Christopher Barber.

“It was a case of switching him off and settling him as early as possible, as his best form has come over two and 2½ miles,” explained James of the seven-year-old owned by Mrs P Bunter, and who formerly clocked up some nice form under Rules for Paul Nicholls. “He jumped himself into the race two from home and ended up winning going away at the line under a 5lb penalty.”

James, who said that Envoye Special will now be aimed at hunter chase races, with Aintree and Cheltenham as possible ultimate targets, explained that running him in a point-to-point first was to “help blow away the cobwebs and take some freshness out of him”.

“He is free-going, buzzy at home, and a bit of a handful so it’s nice to have accomplished our mission here.”