'Enigma' Gentleman Valley off the mark for red-hot Ben Pauling

Tuesday: Uttoxeter

Gentleman Valley served up yet another winner for the Ben Pauling team in the opening 2m7½f handicap hurdle to maintain the yard’s impressive recent form.

The six-year-old was agitated at the start when he reared and bucked, but he managed to triumph under excellent horsemanship from Luca Morgan by a length and three-quarters.

Pauling said: "We probably did see that win coming, even after the antics at the start. He’s a horse who has his own mind at home and at the races.

"He’s definitely quite a handful but we're in no doubt as to his ability, he just has to channel it on a more regular basis.

"Credit has to go to the team at home, but even with all the playing up I knew as soon as he started going forward he’d be absolutely fine," added the trainer.

His win took Pauling's strike-rate over the last two weeks to a red-hot 38 per cent.

Off the mark

Throne Hall made a perfect start to life over jumps as he scored on his first attempt in the 2m novice hurdle.

The Archie Watson-trained five-year-old was a useful handicapper on the Flat and made an instant impact when scoring by one and a quarter lengths under Gavin Sheehan.

Throne Hall’s win helped part-owner Jonny Allison continue his fine form after he also landed the valuable sales race on Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh on Sunday with Streets Of Gold.

Hat-trick hero

Kinondo Kwetu continued his rapid progression when he completed a hat-trick with victory in the feature 2m6½f handicap chase.

Results, replays and analysis

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