Fergal O’Brien admitted he was “over the moon” after Marble Sands overcame an odds-on favourite to win a close encounter. 

Marble Sands took his form to new levels to win the M1 Agency Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle £30,000 feature race at Huntingdon on February 9. 

The 9/2 entrant pipped 4/5 favourite Rare Edition after the race was cut to three following a late withdrawal, as both horses battled for top spot. 

Although Rare Edition held an advantage, Marble Sands under Kielan Woods forged clear despite an untidy jump at the final flight to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths. 

“That is a fantastic win; that is three he has won this season,” O’Brien said. 

“If we would have finished second, we would have been very happy as it would have been a good run but I’m absolutely over the moon. 

“Jodie and Dave at the yard have done a fine job with him and it is great for [the owners] Graeme [McPherson], David [Adams] and Jackie [Adams] who are massive supporters of us.” 

Shirocco’s Dream trained by Joe Tizzard marked her debut over fences with victory in the Oxenwood Real Estate Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Chase. 

The Hunts Post: Shirocco's Dream marked her debut over fences with victory.Shirocco's Dream marked her debut over fences with victory. (Image: Graham Clark)

Owner Jon Romans hopes the eight-year-old's triumph is a sign of positive things to come. 

“She jumped like a stag and is back on form,” he said. 

“She is certainly better on better ground and last time she won at Sandown the ground was like that; I’m delighted.” 

Meanwhile, trainer Michael Bell welcomed his first winner at Huntingdon in Artistic Choice, who beat 3/1 favourite Charles St by half a length to win the Urban Logistics Reit Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. 

Bell said: “In 35 years of training, I’ve had about 45 jump runners and what we have had we have done well with.”