G3 win for Flemensfirth on eve of Cheltenham

9th March 2008

Lightly-raced six-year-old Beshabar (6g Flemensfirth-Our Intrest, by Buckskin) saw off an ultra-competitive field in the G3 EBF Sunderlands ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown on Saturday to run out an impressive winner.

Nick Williams’ charge, who was bred by John Cotter, won a novices’ hurdle at Exeter in January and is set to go over fences next season after his facile victory at Sandown, when coming home three and three-quarter lengths clear of the field.

"He is a lovely, huge horse who will go chasing next season," said Williams. "The owners bought Beshabar from his breeder and they sent him to me last August."

It was the latest big-race success for Flemensfirth, whose representatives at the Cheltenham Festival this week will include the star novice chasers Tidal Bay and Joe Lively.