07 January 2023 , 16:53
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Noel Fehily revelled in more Tolworth Hurdle glory as Tahmuras headlined a memorable day for his syndicate at Sandown.
The ex-top jockey proudly watched on as the 5-2 second favourite dominated the Grade 1 field.
Love Envoi had earlier stamped her class on the Listed Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Mares' Hurdle.
The two horses are part of ownership groups run by Fehily, who rode more than 1,300 winners in a 20-year career and his former weighing room colleague David Crosse.
And the pair, who tasted Cheltenham Festival victory with Love Envoi last year, have another live hope with Tahmuras, Paul Nicholls' first winner of the race since 2008.
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“He will be in the Supreme and the Ballymore at the Festival and we will speak to Paul about where he goes, but he looks pretty good and reminds me of Summerville Boy on whom I won the Supreme," Fehily said.
Harry Cobden appeared eager to conserve his mount's energy for the final climb in the Unibet-backed feature.
Travelling best of the leading quartet after the penultimate flight, late errors failed to scupper the winning bid.
The pair crossed the line two-and-a-half lengths ahead of L'astroboy (16-1), who snatched the runner-up spot from Nemean Lion (18-1).
Tahmuras made several late jumping errors, but had the class to see off his Grade 1 opponents at the Esher venue (Getty)Tahmuras is 10-1 for his two novice options at the Festival, while Love Envoi is half that price with bookmakers for the Mares' Hurdle.
Harry Fry's charge justified her short odds by a widening 13 lengths in the Esher mud.
Sent off at 30-100, the favourite was the only one to oblige on a tricky card for punters.
Rank outsider Wishing And Hoping (50-1) caused a huge upset in the Unibet 2022 Veterans' Chase Series Final.
Phil Rowley, the husband of trainer Mel Rowley, said: "We’ve had a professional licence for two years and this is by far the biggest success we’ve had. It’s a privilege to train horses like this.”