Challow Hurdle under consideration for 'stunning' Wendigo as Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan complete double

Grade 1 races are on the horizon for Wendigo after he broke his duck over hurdles with a polished performance in the £30,000 introductory race.

The dual bumper winner finished runner-up on his first hurdling start at Hexham but this time strolled five lengths clear of Lightningupourdays, a success that leaves his trainer Jamie Snowden considering a crack at the Challow Hurdle at Newbury on December 28.

"He's a stunning horse," the trainer said. "He won two bumpers last year and improved from his hurdling debut. He looked great and it's a decent bit of prize-money the course have put on, so it looked a nice opportunity for him. 

"He wants soft ground and stays well, so we expect him to make up into a staying chaser. We might have half a look at the Challow in December. He's smart."

It was a second win for Snowden and rider Gavin Sheehan, having already struck in the proceeding 2m5f mares' maiden hurdle with Hollygrove Cha Cha, who overcame some sticky jumping to make it three wins from as many starts.

"She's got an engine," Snowden said. "Her jumping has been good at home but it's been so dry we haven't been able to school on the grass as much as we'd like. She was still green and immature but she'll improve for it. I'll probably drop her back to two miles."

Rockin' win

A clean round of jumping from well-backed front-runner Rockinastorm saw him fight off The Kniphand to land the 3m1½f handicap chase for David Bass and Henry Daly. The win was not without drama, however, as he dislodged a running rail after the ninth fence, which impeded Tide Times and Ask Brewster.

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