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Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle 2012
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the open /
Dodging Bullets On Fire in Open Novices Hurdle
16/11/12
1 Dodging Bullets 5/4F
2 River Maigue 4/1
3 Court Minstrel 6/1
8 ran Distances: 1l, 1l, l
TIME 4m 27.00s (slow by 36.00s)
5-4 favourite Dodging Bullets made virtually every yard in the Grade Two Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle to give Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh a double on the first day of the Open Meeting at Cheltenham.
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Walsh was positive from the off aboard the Frankie Dettori-bred winner, but he looked to have a battle on his hands as there were five in with a chance at the last.
However, a sound leap from Dodging Bullets saw him land in front and he stayed on up the hill, finding the necessary extra to repel River Maigue by a length and a half. Court Minstrel was the same distance back in third.
Nicholls said: "He wants a fast-run race, he stays and this will have done him the world of good. He showed last year in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle here - it's a long way off to start planning yet."
Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)
25,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 110y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to soft (good in places)
| Position |
Horse Trainer |
Jockey Weight |
Starting Price Beaten Distance |
| 1 |
Dodging Bullets P F Nicholls |
R Walsh 11st 7lbs |
5 - 4 Winner |
| 2 |
River Maigue N J Henderson |
B J Geraghty 11st 0lbs |
4 - 1 1 1/2 length |
| 3 |
Court Minstrel Evan Williams |
Paul Moloney 11st 7lbs |
6 - 1 1 1/2 length |
| 4 |
Duke Of Navan N G Richards |
D N Russell 11st 4lbs |
25 - 1 1/2 length |
| 5 |
Run With The Wind M Hourigan |
T J Murphy 11st 7lbs |
12 - 1 1 3/4 length |
| 6 |
Magic Spear C A Murphy |
R M Power 11st 7lbs |
20 - 1 1/2 length |
| 7 |
Tominator Jonjo O'Neill |
A P McCoy 11st 4lbs |
4 - 1 10 lengths |
| 8 |
Ted Dolly E U Hales |
R Thornton 11st 7lbs |
100 - 1 21 lengths |
Opus Energy supply more than 140,000 business locations across the UK with power. Customers include: CfBT Education Trust, Stagecoach, Pizza Hut and Virgin Media.
