Leading owner John Hales today instigated a spectacular Shropshire start to the Cheltenham Festival by landing another famous triumph.

Al Ferof charged up the Cheltenham hill to land the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the first race of the biggest week in National Hunt racing, for the Telford businessman.

It is the second time Hales has won the opener – worth £57,010 for the winner – after Noland landed the extended 2m contest five years ago.

Entering the home straight this afternoon, Al Ferof’s ambitions appeared to be restricted to a place at best with ground to make up on the leaders, including hot favourite Cue Card.

But, under the persuasion of leading jockey Ruby Walsh, the Paul Nicholls-trained grey found more to run out an ultimately comfortable winner at odds of 10-1 in the owner’s famous yellow and red silks.

“I thought we were racing for fourth, then third and then it all happened,” said excited Golden Bear owner Hales in the winner’s ring.

“Ruby’s judgment of pace was unbelievable.

“It was an awesome performance and you can’t do better than that,” said the Cosford-based Hales of his six-year-old.

Ludlow trainer Henry Daly will hope to keep the county’s Festival bandwagon rolling as he approaches his bid for fresh Cheltenham glory with a mixture of anticipation and relief.

The south Shropshire handler will be represented by Pearlysteps in the 4m National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup tomorrow.

And Daly will head to Prestbury Park in buoyant mood after ending a 70-day wait for a winner yesterday after a bacterial infection at his Downton Hall stables.

But the victory drought ended when Up To The Mark, ridden by Richard Johnson, landed the 2m 1f Novices’ Handicap Chase at Stratford.

“It was a relief to get a winner,” admitted Daly.

Shropshire will also be represented by Glenwood Knight in the same race, which is for amateur riders.

The horse is owned by Telford businessmen Jon Glews and Peter Knight.

By JAMES GARRISON