Countdown to Cheltenham - news digest

Long Walk winner scores again at Ascot

Lough Derg beat Hardy Eustace in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot before Christmas, and he returned on Saturday with a 6-1 win in the VC Poker Holloway's Limited Handicap Hurdle.

Lough Derg again led from the off, but Tom Scudamore was niggling away at him on the first circuit before Warne's Way took the lead, kicking on to open a considerable advantage.

The soft ground took its toll, though, and Lough Derg's stamina came into play allowing him to reel in the leader in the straight and get up by three quarters of a length at the line.

Trainer David Pipe said: "He has got an unbelievable record around here and the soft ground made stamina an issue.

"I could see two out that Warne's Way was tiring and our lad just stayed on. He loves his racing so we'll give him an entry in the Cleeve next weekend and he will also be entered in the World Hurdle."

Binocular wins on UK debut

J.P. McManus has purchased the Elie Lelouche bred and trained Binocular (Enrique - Bleu Ciel Et Blanc, by Pistolet Bleu), and the Listed-place four-year-old made a winning debut over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, drawing clear for an emphatic six length success.

Wee Robbie overcomes lengthy absence

Marodima and Mahogany Blaze were both well-supported in the Grade Two Lightning Novices' Chase, but it was the Nick Gifford-trained Wee Robbie (Bob Back - Blast Freeze, by Lafontaine) that prevailed in a tight finish from Mahogany Blaze and Orpen Wide.

Mahogany Blaze had seen off Sandown winner Marodima and looked the winner until making a mistake four out. He remained in front, but Wee Robbie and Orpen Wide made up ground, and the three jumped the last together before Wee Robbie pulled out extra to score on the line on his first start for 266 days. His best form was when third to l'Antartique in the Jewson Novices' Chase at the Festival last March.

Labelthou back on top after chase fall

Emma Lavelle's Labelthou (Saint Preuil - Suzy De Thou, by Toujours Pret) was a smart hurdler last season, and three starts over fences this term have seen a win and a second followed by a crashing fall last time out.

Back over hurdles today in the Warfield Mares' Only Hurdle over 3 miles, she led most of the way before being headed by Gaspara. Labelthou rallied, however, and ran out an easy three length winner over the fast-finishing Refinement. Gaspara was third and Material World came from nowhere to take fourth.