Mambonumberfive calls the tune on fencing debut

Mambonumberfive was a hit on chasing debut in the Introducing William Hill Half A Mill Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Ben Pauling’s talented youngster finished last season in Grade One company at the Merseyside track, having claimed the Adonis Hurdle in the campaign, and he looks to have a bright future after making a foot-perfect bow over the larger obstacles.

Sent off at 7-2 in the hands of Ben Jones in a race won by the likes of Imperial Saint (2024) and recent Charlie Hall winner Djelo (2023) in recent years, he moved smartly into contention before showing plenty of resolve to see it out for a three-quarters-of-a-length verdict.

Pauling said: “He made one novicey error down the back but quickly learned from it and it was a tall enough ask to be honest, starting off in an open handicap so I was just very pleased to see him come through it as he did.

“He’s a gorgeous big horse with lots of scope and a strapping individual who takes a bit of getting fit, so he’ll improve a ton and the experience won’t be lost on him.

“Hopefully he can continue on a nice upwards trajectory as with the four-year-old allowance I think he could feature in some nice novice chases as the season progresses.

“There’s a novice handicap chase at Newbury in a few weeks’ time (Fulke Walwyn Trophy, November 28), but that is only two weeks away. We’ll see how he comes out of this, but then you have got options like the Noel Chase (at Ascot, December 19) and the Wayward Lad (at Kempton, December 27).

“I think he wants soft ground over two miles and I think he won because he’s a nice horse, but not because he’s an out-and-out two miler and that ground today was as fast as I would have wanted it.

“It was a great start and hopefully he has a bright future.”

Earlier on the card there was plenty of joy for Dan and Harry Skelton, as Only Way Is Up (7-2) ran out a ready winner of the opening William Hill Racing Winnings Boost EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Stablemate Hidden History (6-4 favourite) gave them a double when flying home late to delight favourite-backers in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Dan Skelton said: “I didn’t think Hidden History would win and I think he will still improve. I thought that before the race and I’m not going to change my opinion.

“Softer ground will suit him going forward. We’ll perhaps give him six weeks now and won’t rush him back. I think he’d stay any trip. Haiti Couleurs won this last year and went on to win the National Hunt Chase, so maybe that’s pre-destined target.”

Nicky Henderson’s Coral Cup runner-up Impose Toi (5-2 favourite) landed a gamble in style on his first start over three miles, cruising to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the hands of Nico de Boinville in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Henderson said: “He is funny because he is so, so lazy at home. I can’t work him with anything because he just doesn’t do it – I’m surprised he gets himself fit – you would give sixpence for him!

“He didn’t enjoy fences and doesn’t enjoy working at home but comes to the races and thinks it’s absolutely wonderful.

“To be fair, at the back-end of last season, he was second at Cheltenham, fourth here and second at Punchestown – he ran at all three festivals, which you can do with him because he might as well do it on the racecourse. He had a fantastic year.

“The idea would be go to the Pertemps Final but he is high enough (in the handicap) as it is. We’ll have to see what the handicapper does.”