Fergal O’Brien is yet to train a winner at the Cheltenham Festival but believes Dysart Enos could be the horse to change that statistic after making the perfect introduction over hurdles at Huntingdon on Tuesday (November 14), writes Graham Clark.

After rattling up a hat-trick of bumper wins culminating in the Grade Two Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Aintree the five-year-old had little trouble in accounting for her rivals in the RhinoBet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. 

Sent off the 1-7 favourite to make her hurdling bow a winning one the Malinas mare breezed through the two-mile contest before cruising to glory by seven and a half lengths from Parkin Fine.

O’Brien said: “I said to Paddy (Brennan) that she has not been as straightforward this season as she was last season as she has had the odd bug. Last season she just ran and ran and she was so straightforward. 

“She has been great at home and the last few weeks she has been flying. Big credit goes to Tom Broughton who rides her most days. She is not easy, and you have to keep a lid on her. 

“Her schooling has been good. Sometimes she is a bit too brave, but I’m glad to get today out of the way.” 

An outing in the Listed Play Coral “Racing-Super-Series” For Free Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on December 2nd now beckons for Dysart Enos ahead of a potential outing at the Festival in March in the Grade Two Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

O’Brien added: “We will roll on to Newbury now in the Listed race and then we will take it from there. I don’t want to think that far ahead, but I’ve made no secret of the mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival being the aim. She is very exciting.”

Former Eider Chase winner Crosspark received a warm reception from those gathered around the Cambridgeshire track’s winner’s enclosure after securing his first victory in more than four years in the Racing TV Veterans’ Handicap Chase, which the 15-2 chance won by a length and a quarter.

Nick Kent, trainer, said: “He loved it out there. The drop in grade has helped him, but I didn’t think this track would suit him.

“He comes out every morning moving like a young horse. He is very easy to train.”