White Pepper too hot for juvenile rivals

White Pepper (4/1) landed the opening four-year-old hurdle in the hands of Luke Dempsey.

Having tracked the leaders early on, the daughter of Fast Company took over in front before halfway and kept on well in the straight to repel the challenge of Feigh by two lengths.

The 11/8 favourite Britzka never looked like taking a hand in the finish and came home a well-beaten fourth.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained winner had scored in maiden company at Galway in October before finishing third in a Listed contest at Aintree last month.

“It was a good performance. She was tough and she jumped brilliant, she never missed a beat,” said Dempsey.

“She was winging hurdles and she was game. I knew Paul (Townend, on Feigh) was there but I think he might have struggled to get by me as I had a bit of horse left.

“I'd say if something had got to my girth she would have went on again. She hit the line well."

White Pepper was introduced at 16/1 by Paddy Power for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with Britzka being eased to that price by the same firm having been their 8/1 favourite before this race.

Quotes from Gary Carson