Naunton trainer Fergal O'Brien finished what has been a terrific 2017 for him by saddling his first Grade One winner when Poetic Rhythm won the Betfred Challow Hurdle at Newbury yesterday. Naunton trainer Fergal O'Brien finished what has been a terrific 2017 for him by saddling his first Grade One winner when Poetic Rhythm won the Betfred Challow Hurdle at Newbury yesterday. "Paddy knew what he wanted to do," explained O'Brien. You would like to think if he stepped forward as much as he did from his first run to his second run and if there is a bit more to come it doesn't put us too far away. "The way he jumped and travelled he certainly looked like the Thistlecrack of old."

Source: Irish Independent December 31, 2017 02:31 UTC