John Ferguson's exciting Flat recruit Whispering Gallery maintained his unbeaten record over obstacles with a smooth victory at Wetherby.

Winner of the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan for Godolphin in March 2011, the seven-year-old was then not seen for the best part of two years before making his jumping debut at the far less glamorous surroundings of Leicester in January, justifying odds-on favouritism with a smooth display.

Whispering Gallery was 8-15 favourite to follow up in theconistonhotel.com Ideal For Business & Pleasure Novices' Hurdle and though his hurdling was not always fluent, he was travelling best on the home turn and cantered clear to beat Bobowen by six lengths in the hands of Denis O'Regan.

Ferguson said: "I was very happy with him today. He had undoubted talent on the Flat and for an older horse, I think he's made the transition to hurdling very well. He's had his two races now and although he made one or two little mistakes, I thought today was overall a more professional performance."

Whispering Gallery holds entries in all three novice hurdles at next month's Cheltenham Festival and is also engaged in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Ferguson added: "I think he's ready to go into a more competitive race now, so we'll see how he takes this race and then make a decision on where he goes in the next week or so. I hope when he gets into a race with a stronger pace and on better ground, he could be quite exciting."

Coverholder (5-4 favourite) completed a quick-fire hat-trick under Jonathan England in the Watch Racing UK On Sky 432 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. Bought for 6,000 guineas by Sue Smith after winning a Catterick seller over Christmas, the six-year-old is unbeaten for new connections.

England said: "He's a lovely horse. I was lucky enough to ride him first time at Doncaster, again at Kelso last week and again today. He's honest, he jumps and he keeps galloping, which is what you want. He's big enough to jump a fence."

Donald McCain's newcomer Diamond King (2-1 favourite) looks destined for better things after making a sparkling debut in the concluding bumper, annihilating his rivals by 16 lengths and more in the hands of Jason Maguire.

John Wade and Wilson Renwick claimed the Tennants Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle with 2-1 favourite Forty Crown, while David Pipe's southern raider No Secrets (2-1) claimed top honours in the Yorkshire Post Ladies Evening 30th May Handicap Chase under Tom Scudamore.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests