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Inglis Drever - won a second World Hurdle.
By Martin Kelly, PA Sport
Graham Wylie and Howard Johnson returned to the hallowed winner's enclosure at the Cheltenham Festival as Inglis Drever dug deepest of all to reclaim his Ladbrokes World Hurdle title. The eight-year-old formed part of a memorable treble for millionaire owner Wylie and County Durham trainer Johnson when winning the race in 2005. But they drew a blank at the big meeting 12 months ago, when Inglis Drever was missing having been ruled out through injury. The horse was back in a big way on this occasion, however, as he worked his way into the race and stormed up the hill under jockey Paddy Brennan to score by three-quarters of a length from Mighty Man. Drama could be found at every corner, with the 2-1 favourite Black Jack Ketchum tipping up at the third flight, while Inglis Drever himself appeared to be running a moody race at the rear of the field. But the 5-1 shot started to motor through the pack approaching the third-last and he had surged to the front as the penultimate obstacle loomed. It was a brave man who would have bet against anything passing him on the home run and although Mighty Man tried in vain, Inglis Drever was too tough and stayed on gamely, with the pair pulling four lengths clear of Blazing Bailey. Johnson said: "He is such an honest little horse and he does come on and off the bridle. He did exactly that when he beat Baracouda two years ago. "I told Paddy not to worry and said that when the horse comes down the hill and sees daylight that he will pick up. "We could have bought him back last year but we gave him time and nursed him. I knew when he weighed 495 kilos last week that I had him right as that is the same weight as when he won it two years ago. "It is nice to come and do it two years out of three and this horse, along with Direct Route and Grey Abbey, would be the best I have trained. "I have always wanted to win a Northumberland Plate and you might see him there next. Liverpool is a possibility, but he won't go to Punchestown as he wants to go right-handed. "He is an eight-year-old so it is the ideal time to put him back on the Flat." A return to timber next winter would be a natural course of action and Johnson added: "He will never jump a fence, but I would like to come back here and win this again." Wylie said: "To win it for the second time is even more special due to his injury. "I didn't panic watching the race as I know that is his style - I just hoped that by the top of the hill for the second time that he was in contention and he was. He always sticks his head out and he tries, which is what he has done today. "Having had three winners at the Festival two years ago, I think it was good in some ways to have no winners last year as it made us appreciate just how special it is to have a winner here." The victory cemented the new partnership between Brennan, Wylie and Johnson after the former took over as retained rider following Graham Lee's departure at the beginning of the season. Brennan said: "I've never felt as much pressure going into any race as I did today, because I knew how good he was. "I heard the shouts from the crowd so I knew Black Jack had fallen, but I knew I had a lot more to worry about. "Coming down the hill the horse knew where he was. He loves the crowd and has won a World Hurdle before - he just comes alive here." The Henry Daly-trained Mighty Man went one better than his third-place finish last year. His owner Joss Hanbury, said: "I am thrilled. "I thought for a moment he was going to get there but it wasn't to be - he has still run a great race. "All being well, we will now go to Aintree as long as he comes out of the race OK." There was a sting in the tail for his rider Richard Johnson, who was handed a three-day ban for excessive use of the whip. He will miss March 26, 27 and 28. Lesley Field, one of the owners of Blazing Bailey said: "I can't believe how well he has run. "He finished behind two great champions and as a five-year-old what more can you ask. "At the moment it is safe to say he will be staying over hurdles." Trainer Jonjo O'Neill, while obviously disappointed, was relieved that both Tony McCoy and Black Jack Ketchum had returned safe and sound. He said: "It's an annoying thing to happen, but I suppose that's racing. We can't do anything about it. "He came here in great shape, we were very happy with him, he schooled great the other morning. "But that's the game we're in. Life goes on. The main thing is both the jockey and horse have come back OK and he lives to fight another day. I would think we will take him to Aintree." Timmy Murphy was handed a four-day ban for using his whip when out of contention on the David Pipe-trained Over The Creek.
