Diamond Hunter sparkles for Chris and Freddie Gordon

Chris Gordon hopes the future is bright for Diamond Hunter, having watched him cause a surprise in the Betfair-sponsored Newton Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock.

Gordon feels his winner is an embryonic chaser in the making, yet the six-year-old had enough in his locker to get the better of the persistent Masked Man, who had attempted to make all.

With his son Freddie in the saddle, Gordon cheered home his 12-1 shot to a one-and-three-quarter-length win, with even-money favourite Sticktotheplan disappointing back in third.

“We got him over in Ireland from John Costello and as he’s a six-year-old we just thought we’d let him take his chance, if he was four or five we’d have just gone for a little novice somewhere,” said Gordon.

“As he’s six, he’s a lot harder, he’s been pointing so we just thought we’d get on with it and it worked out really well.

“I thought he’d run a blinder, but I couldn’t see him winning it, so it’s fantastic.

“It’s all about chasing next year, he should be a proper chaser next year, so this is a bonus. We’ll have to have a think about where to go next.”

He added: “Last time we came here we won the Swinton (with Our Champ) with Freddie on so it’s great doing it together.”

The long journey from Hampshire was made more than worth it for the Gordons with a quickfire double, as David’s Well defied a lengthy absence in the Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Chase.

He could be spotted travelling ominously well from some way out, although he was made to fight for the victory by Harry Derham’s Escapeandevade.

The 11-4 chance found plenty on his first run for 11 months, however, to win by a length and a half.

Gordon said: “It’s a long way for us to come so it’s nice that it’s paid off.

“Freddie is close to losing his claim now so at least he’s doing it in races that are worth a bit.

“David’s Well picked up a little problem when he won his last race and the softer the better for him, I didn’t know if we’d had enough rain but it worked out really well.

“He might end up at Sandown one day or we could look at the Castleford at Wetherby next.”

The Gordons were denied a treble when their Andashan was blown away by Kabral Du Mathan in the Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle runner-up was having his first start for Dan Skelton having left Paul Nicholls and made a mockery of a mark of 140, winning by 12 lengths as the 6-5 favourite.

“I hoped he’d win. He did a very good bit of work about three weeks ago which suggested he had a big engine, but so did his form from last year,” said Skelton.

“We’re lucky to have inherited him and hopefully he’ll continue to progress as he goes up in trip, which he’s been crying out for.

“I think I might go to the Relkeel (at Cheltenham) with him and then look at the Stayers’ Hurdle.

“I was optimistic this might be his last handicap watching him work, but you need to see it on the racecourse as that is where it really counts.”