Authorised Speed overcomes last-flight scare to shine at Sandown

Authorised Speed survived a final-flight scare to book a return to Sandown for the Tolworth Hurdle by winning the Brian Giles Memorial “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle in impressive style at the Esher track.

This race was the starting point for the imperious Constitution Hill 12 months ago, and Gary Moore’s Champion Bumper fifth looks another above-average winner of the two-mile contest.

Having opened his hurdling account in facile fashion at Lingfield last month, the five-year-old was sent off the 1-3 favourite and as the race developed it became clear that Authorised Speed’s only danger would be the Nicky Henderson-trained second-favourite, Immortal.

Authorised Speed was beginning to stretch away and assert his dominance in the run to the last when briefly giving his rival hope with a bad blunder, but the winner was soon gathered up by Jamie Moore and pushed out for a six-and-a-half-length success.

Moore senior missed the race due to traffic issues, but Joshua Moore, who is assisting his father following his retirement from the saddle, was on hand to watch Authorised Speed storm to success and confirmed the progressive youngster will now be tested in Grade One company.

He said: “I rode him in the Champion Bumper when he was the first British horse home.

“I said then he was a proper horse, and the reason I came back from injury.

“He’s easy to deal with, an absolute gentleman, and as this was only his second run over hurdles, he will learn more.”

He continued: “It was heavy when he won at Lingfield, and Jamie said he’s the best we’ve had since Goshen.

“Funnily enough this ground is not really soft enough for him. Hopefully it will be testing when he comes back here for the Tolworth Hurdle (January 7).”

Love Envoi made a winning return when landing the Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap Hurdle.

Harry Fry’s Cheltenham Festival heroine was sent off the 6-4 favourite and kept on strongly to oblige backers in good fashion.

The victory sets the six-year-old up for a return to this venue for Listed action next month as all roads lead back to Prestbury Park in March.

“Johnny (Burke) didn’t think he was going as well as he hoped but said when they came at her she found extra,” explained Fry.

“We had her fairly ready, which she needed to be, and she will come back here for a mares’ Listed race on Tolworth day.

“There’s a race at Warwick next year and let’s hope all roads lead back to Cheltenham in March for a crack at the mares’ hurdle.

“She has a will to win, and you can’t buy that.”

The easiest winner of the day, however, came in the concluding Winners Wear Cavani Menswear London National Handicap Chase where Quick Wave sauntered to victory in the hands of Charlie Deutsch to continue Venetia Williams’ recent hot streak.