Cheltenham bound Lindenhurst wins opener

The John McConnell trained Lindenhurst made all for a game win in the opening Golf Memberships 2014 From E749 3-Y-O Hurdle at Gowran today, surviving with a less than straightforward round of jumping.

The son of Captain Marvelous led but jumped left almost throughout the two miles trip. Eleven to ten favourite Guitar Pete loomed in the leader's slip-stream at the second last flight but was unable to catch the winner who put in a timely sound jump at the final flight before staying on for a length win.

Afterwards McConnell stated ““he's great! That's seven runs, four wins and three seconds and to win today was remarkable considering he jumped left. Guitar Pete got to him but he pulled it out again and he's becoming a good horse now.

“The plan today was for Guitar Pete to come and get us. We didn't do that last time when we 'sat' and he got to us too easily.

“He's probably slightly better going left handed and he'll get a break now. He's is fully entitled to go for the Fred Winter but we'll see what rating he gets; he's not big and wouldn't want a big weight.

“When he won on the Flat at Hamilton he hung left; he may have a little issue with his fetlock or something and we have time now to try and get that right.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson