Novarov denies Mag of a hat-trick Novarov sprang a 16/1 surprise in the ultra competitive Troytown November 27th Handicap Hurdle over 2m 7f for his trainer John O'Shea with Sean McDermott aboard. The 5yo son of Sholokhov was having his third start in a handicap hurdle this afternoon and showed signs of promise on his last start at Punchestown when finishing sixth of 21 runners behind Irish Soul. The 5/1 joint favourite, hat-trick seeking, Magdoodle and the winner had it between them on the run to the last with the winner edging in front on the run-in before going on to score by two lengths. The pair went nine and a half lengths clear of the third placed horse who was Forestside at 20/1 while Johnny Two Keys completed the placings a further half a length back in fourth at 15/2. The other 5/1 joint favourite Selection Box (backed from 8/1 this morning) could only manage eighth under Paul Carberry. Winning trainer John O'Shea, who was recording his first win since Devils Bit won at Gowran on the 19th of June, said afterwards: "He is as slow as a boat but he's all about stamina. "On his last run he was hampered twice. He finished sixth and but for being hampered twice I think he would have been third. "Like alot of German horses the further he goes the better. He will be out again over Christmas. "That’s his ground, he wouldn’t want it any heavier than that."
