Kripticjim stays on an upward curve at Newbury

Kripticjim continued his progression with a hard-fought victory in the Amber River Life Landscaping EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.

Joe Tizzard’s five-year-old had won nicely at Ascot last time out but was carrying a penalty for that success.

While his task was made somewhat easier by the withdrawal of the promising Starzand, he still had to contend with Daydream Nation, trained in Ireland by William Harvey, and Ben Pauling’s point-to-point winner Trial By Jury, who came in for plenty of late support.

The three main market protagonists had it between them from a long way out and while Kripticjim’s jumping had been good on the way round, under pressure it fell apart somewhat, giving Trial By Jury a chance.

The 6-5 favourite dug deep for Brendan Powell, though, and won by three-quarters of a length.

Garth Broom, who owns the winner with his wife, Anne, under the Brocade Racing banner, said: “He was game wasn’t he and I think he is still learning on the job a little bit, but we think he’s a nice, improving horse.

“We haven’t got any plans beyond today at the moment, but he will have to step up you would suppose.

“He’s qualified for the EBF Final now and whether that would be the aim I’m not sure, but the trainer normally tells us and he isn’t here!

“It was very pleasing though under a penalty and we’ll be forced to look at something better you would think, but at the moment, I’ve not a clue.”