'It's just massive' - Hales excited as Millers Bank foot-perfect on chase debut

Trainer Alex Hales hailed Millers Bank as the horse he’s waited 20 years for after he made a faultless debut over fences in the feature 2m4f novice chase.

The seven-year-old was placed in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last season, but has always been earmarked as a star chaser and scored by 11 lengths under Harry Bannister.

“His whole career has been built around going chasing and he's always been natural over fences,” said Hales. “I thought it was a wonderful debut performance and Harry gave him a very good ride.”

He added of his Steve Bocking-owned star: “We don't have many horses like this, we are a small yard, so it's a relief as much as anything.

“My wife Sally and I have spent 20 years trying to get a horse like him – it’s just massive. It's nice for everyone in the yard and everyone involved.”

Hales has pencilled in a return to Graded company for Millers Bank, adding: “The obvious next step is to go to Newbury for the two-and-a-half-mile Grade 2 at the Ladbrokes meeting. If he's going to be what we want him to be and go somewhere exciting in March and April, he's going to have to step up in grade.”

Smart recruit

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill looks to have another smart prospect in French recruit Trapista, who was impressive when taking the 2m3½f mares’ novice hurdle on her British debut.

Tom Scudamore's mount, owned by JP McManus, beat Houka D'Oudairies by five lengths.

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