Awesome opening at meeting for Huxley
Friday 2nd January 2009, 11:37AM GMT.
Shropshire jockey Charlie Huxley was quick off the mark at Cheltenham – winging home on 16-1 shot Awesome George in the first race of the New Year’s Day card.Huxley burst to prominence in April, the Shrewsbury-born amateur winning the Scottish National on board Iris De Balme.
He was punching the air in delight once again at Prestbury Park yesterday, as he passed the winning post to take the novice handicap hurdle.
“He’s one of my favourite horses,” said Huxley. “He’s a bit of a monkey but I love him to bits.”
Trained by Alan King, the five-year-old was in control when You’re The Top fell at the top of the hill, two out, and extended his advantage on the run for home to score by three and a half lengths from Ring Bo Ree.
King praised Huxley’s effort in the saddle and said: “Charlie’s ridden this horse quite a bit and obviously gets on well with him.
“In retrospect he shouldn’t have gone to Folkestone last time, where the ground was pretty desperate.
“He’s always had plenty of toe, so a tough two miles like this is ideal.”
You’re The Top looked to be going well when he misjudged the penultimate flight while the 7-2 favourite Picaroon gradually faded after leading for much of the journey.
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