'You cannot keep a good man down' - Evan Williams among the week's winners

The Racing Post's awards will honour the best (and sometimes worst) performances and raise talking points from the last seven days of racing. This week's winners are . . .

Performance of the week

Constitution Hill

There is little doubting who scooped this prize and Constitution Hill's destructive win in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday deservedly topped the performances in the first week of 2022, and could be one to reminisce about in years to come.

Such was the dominant performance by a novice hurdler at the top level on just his second start that even Nicky Henderson admitted he needed confirmation about what he saw.

The January blues can be cured trying to figure out the clash between himself, fellow high-class stablemate Jonbon and Sir Gerhard at the Cheltenham Festival in March, in what could be a Supreme Novices' Hurdle for the ages.

'He's just seriously good' - connections are blown away by Constitution Hill

Overreaction of the week

Classic Getaway

There were plenty of people dismissing the prospects of Cheveley Park’s £570,000 former point-to-pointer when he was beaten by stablemate Cash Back on his hurdling debut at Clonmel on Thursday.

Shocker: Cash Back gets the better of stablemate Classic Getaway at ClonmelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Unlike most novices, though, Classic Getaway had been thrown into an open contest against a hugely experienced ten-year-old rival who had made his last five starts at Grade 1 or 2 level.

Not to mention he was nearly pulling Paul Townend’s arms out during the first circuit on tacky ground. There is plenty of time for Classic Getaway to come good and show why so much money was spent on him.

£570,000 purchase Classic Getaway turned over at odds-on by Mullins stablemate

Comeback of the week

Aidan Macdonald

Aidan Macdonald's amazing recovery from a life-threatening stroke has been inspirational.

This proved to be the week when the conditional jockey finally got back on a horse for the first time since he collapsed in Middleham High Street last spring and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

It was a heartwarming tale in the face of tragedy that trainer Micky Hammond documented brilliantly on Twitter.

'I'm over the moon' - Aidan Macdonald rides out for the first time since stroke

Punt of the week

Jepeck

Owners' belief that their horse will bolt up can often be attributed to blind faith but, even so, would you stick £200 each-way on a 50-1 shot?

Jepeck: landed an inspired gamble by owner Jon PikeCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Jon Pike certainly talked through his pocket and boy was he rewarded as his 13-year-old stalwart Jepeck, who would not have been out of place against fellow pensioners in the Veterans' Chase final (which he won in 2020), defied the odds to easily win Wincanton's 2m5f handicap hurdle.

'I'll be having some party tonight' - jubilant owner lands five-figure punt

Upset of the week

Pilsdon Pen

Why have just a 40-1 winner at Wincanton on Saturday when you can have another at 80-1? Punters were left scratching their heads at the Somerset track when Pilsdon Pen defied those odds in the 1m7f handicap hurdle.

The five-year-old had been beaten by a combined 140 lengths in three starts for Jeremy Scott but managed to shock connections. Not least owner Darren Langley, who had a few quiet tipples of Guinness to celebrate the success.

Trainer of the week

Evan Williams

The end of December proved challenging for Evan Williams, but he showed you cannot keep a good man down for long with a masterful training performance to get Prime Venture's head back in front in the Veterans' Chase final at Sandown.

Yes, December did include Racing Post Gold Cup success with Coole Cody, but the Williams yard and jumps racing was rocked by the loss of popular grey Silver Streak, who had been the stable flagbearer for many years, as well as the promising Star Gate.

Evan Williams: saddled Prime Venture to win at Sandown on SaturdayCredit: Gareth Everett

Secret Reprieve lost his Welsh Grand National crown too, but the proud Welshman roared back to his best with perennial bridesmaid Prime Venture, who is owned by Williams' loyal owner Janet Davies.

He admitted the win was emotional but, after having such a fine week, which also included a double at Ffos Las on Wednesday, few could begrudge him a few tears.

'Really special' - Prime Venture comes good for Evan Williams in veterans' final

Catch our new in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Grand National-winning jockey Leighton Aspell, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and more, it is not to be missed.