'He's a horse with a bright future' - festival aim for Dr TJ Eckleburg

Tuesday: Taunton

Dr TJ Eckleburg has earned himself a trip to the Cheltenham Festival after a game performance to justify favouritism in the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Trainer Olly Murphy has pencilled in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for the four-year-old, who belied his lack of experience to land the spoils in a competitive contest.

The 7-4 favourite had to pull out all the stops under Aidan Coleman to deny Natural History by half a length.

“He’s a horse with a bright future and I was delighted with the way he stuck on to win the race. He deserves to go to Cheltenham now,” said Murphy.

Murphy and Coleman were also on the mark with the promising mare Choral Work, who was making her debut for the stable, having finished second in a maiden hurdle at Thurles last time.

“We like her but there’s nothing ambitious just yet and she’ll probably go for another mares’ hurdle next time,” said the trainer.

Cheltenham is also on the agenda for Doctor Parnassus after his impressive nine-length victory in the 2m3f novice hurdle. Trainer Dan Skelton confirmed him as a probable participant in the Triumph Hurdle.

Philip Hobbs registered his 50th winner of the season when Iberio landed the 2m3f handicap hurdle.

The five-year-old looked to have thrown away his chance when making an error at the second-last but he recovered well in the hands of Micheal Nolan to lead close home and beat Kalzari by one and quarter lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

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