'He'll become a stallion now' - Nietzsche Has bows out of racing career in style with Chepstow Grade 2 victory for France

A Triumph Hurdle bid is not on the cards for Nietzsche Has as he will head to stud after victory in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle.

He became the first French-trained winner of the Grade 2 since Good Bye Simon in 2006 after finishing powerfully to break trainer Marcel Rolland and jockey Ludovic Philipperon's maiden over jumps in Britain.

Paddy Power made the Zarak colt a 12-1 shot for a potential Cheltenham Festival bid after his fourth victory but he will instead stand at Haras de Montaigu.

Rolland said: "I was a little unsure before the race because this is a specialist's track, they jump three and four but then for one mile don't jump at all. It was a question.

"We didn't win the Grade 1 at Auteuil so we felt it was better for the stud to try and win a Grade 2. He'll become a stallion now which is the choice of the owner. They want to take the money with him."

He is the first horse in France for English-born owner Edward James.

Big ambitions

Jamie Snowden is prepared to aim high with Julius Des Pictons after he recorded a second win in Britain in the 2m novice hurdle.

The five-year-old, who runs in the colours of the Footie Partnership made famous by Ga Law, followed up a Plumpton success as he sprinted through the fog to record a two-length victory over Shade Of Winter.

Snowden could look at Listed targets next, with Huntingdon's Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle on February 6 and a 2m1f contest at Exeter on February 9 under consideration.

"He's a really lovely horse and we think a lot of him," said Snowden. "It was Gav's [Sheehan, jockey] idea to come back to two miles and it's been vindicated as he's won that quite easily. He got to the front very well, pricked his ears a little bit but I think he's really smart.

"We'll work our way and there's the Listed race at Exeter or we could look at the Sidney Banks over two and a half. He could be one for Aintree or Cheltenham so it's very exciting."

Winning return

David Noonan enjoyed his first winner since returning from injury as he ended a 36-day drought aboard Castelfort in the 2m handicap hurdle. The victory continues the good form of the Jane Williams stable.

Bowen strikes

Three jockeys hailing from Wales were involved in a four-way battle at the finish in the 2m7½f handicap hurdle but it was Sean Bowen who prevailed aboard Woodie Flash for Olly Murphy.

Phantomofthepoints looked set to justify 100-30 favouritism before Jack Tudor's mount hung badly to his right before finishing fourth behind the Isabel Williams-ridden Dans Le Vent as Woodie Flash pipped Tune In A Box by a short head.

Victory extended Bowen's lead in the jockeys' championship to nine over Harry Skelton.

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