Mister Manduro going back on the Flat after impressive first hurdles success

In an era when paying six figures for unproven or unraced potential jumpers is commonplace, the three-year-old Mister Manduro looked something of a bargain when Brian Ellison paid 30,000gns for him at Tattersalls back in 2017.

He was far from unproven, for although he may have won only one race in his days with Mark Johnston, after finishing less than five lengths seventh to Stradivarius in the 2017 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot he was rated 92.

The five-year-old is now owned by Ian Hamilton and trained by his wife Ann, and though his career as a hurdler didn't get off to an auspicious start when he unseated rider Craig Nichol at the third flight at Hexham earlier this month, he put that behind him in no uncertain style when, with Nichol on board again, he ran out a four-length winner of the maiden hurdle having travelled powerfully throughout.