Essex triumphant at Newbury

Essex, under Barry Geraghty, jumps the last just clear of Bongo Fury

Well-backed favourite Essex won the big race at Newbury on Saturday, collecting the Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle by three lengths from Bongo Fury, with Al Eile third.

None of the 26-strong field was prepared to set a testing pace, and the winner was always travelling well before making a move three flights out under Barry Geraghty.

Essex, lightly raced this season, was heavily backed on the course despite having to race off a mark 21lb higher than he carried at Leopardstown in January.

Trainer Michael O'Brien confirmed the horse would go on to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

He said: "I don't think there's any other option. The only problem is that he's a five-year-old but that was a serious performance from a horse at 11st 6lb."

Totesport Trophy Handicap Hurdle
1. Essex (B J Geraghty) 4-1 Fav
2. Bongo Fury (T Scudamore) 33-1
3. Al Eile (J Culloty) 10-1
4. 7 Hawadeth Miss N Carberry 40-1
26 ran

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Farmer Jack was a surprise winner in the Aon Chase when outpacing Strong Flow over three miles, with Celestial Gold third.

Farmer Jack jumps the final fence on his way to victory

The Philip Hobbs-trained nine-year-old jumped clear of the two joint favourites at the last fence after making much of the running throughout.

Farmer Jack's jockey Richard Johnson said: "He's very brave.

"He carried top-weight at Cheltenham the other day and ran really well. I think three miles is ideal for him now."

The winner had been well backed from 20-1 in the morning to start at 12-1.

After the race, Strong Flow and Celestial Gold both drifted slightly in ante-post betting for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Aon Chase
1. Farmer Jack (R Johnson) 12-1
2. Strong Flow (R Walsh) 2-1 Jt Fav
3. Celestial Gold (T J Murphy) 2-1 Jt Fav
8 ran

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Azertyuiop outjumped his rivals to win the Game Spirit Chase, profiting from untimely errors from Well Chief and Mister McGoldrick.

Having just held off the Martin Pipe-trained Well Chief when second behind Moscow Flyer in the Tingle Creek at Sandown at level weights, Azertyuiop was able to give the same horse four pounds and still beat him.

Both horses will take each other on once again at the Festival in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Pipe said: "My horse made a mistake early on, but Cheltenham is a different story."

Aon Chase
1. Azertyuiop (R Walsh) 11-10 Fav
2. Well Chief (T J Murphy) 5-4
6 ran