Kim Bailey hailed jockey Gavin Sheehan’s performance in the saddle as ‘phenomenal’.

He managed to galvanise Parc D’Amour to his first success since making a winning debut 18 months ago in the Price Boosts On Football At Rhino.Bet Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon on Saturday, November 25. 

Since hitting the ground running in a National Hunt Flat contest at Doncaster in March last year the Walk In The Park gelding had suffered seven consecutive defeats before securing a first victory over hurdles at the Cambridgeshire track at the weekend. 

Anchored at the rear of the field throughout the early stages of the extended one mile seven furlong contest the well-backed 15-8 Favourite was delivered to perfection by Sheehan who sent his mount on after the last before steering the market leader to glory by three quarters of a length. 

Bailey said: “He is always a horse that has shown ability, but he is very quirky. He has to be ridden from behind, but he pulls very hard.  

“I was highly impressed by Gavin. He rode the horse on his first handicap start at Warwick in May so he knew the horse, but he gave him a peach of a ride. 

“I thought he would have won a lot more races before now so he has been a little frustrating, but it is good to see him get his head back in front again. 

“When he goes chasing that will really make a man of him.”

Useful dual purpose performer Sashenka made the perfect start to life over fences when justifying her odds-on status in the feature Rhino.Bet EBF Mares’ Novices’ Chase. 

Already a four-time winner on the flat along with registering two victories over hurdles the Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained 4-5 Favourite made her chasing debut a triumphant one by two- and three-quarter lengths under the Lambourn handler’s son Ben Ffrench Davis. 

Ben Pauling looks to have an individual capable of taking a much higher rank later in the season in Tellherthename, who proved a cut above his rivals with a facile front running success in the Follow Us On Twitter @betrhino Maiden Hurdle. 

Finding only one too strong on his debut under rules at Ascot the 4-11 Favourite barely had to get out of second gear to open his hurdles account at the second time of asking when crossing the line 14 lengths clear of runner-up Lucky Place.