IT was far from perfect, but Thyme Hill battled to Challow success to remain unbeaten over hurdles.
Philip Hobbs crack novice saw off The Cashel Man in what became a two horse race at Newbury to claim his first Grade 1 and set up a shot at Festival glory.
Richard Johnson drove the 4-6 jolly home to jump back to the top of the Jockeys Championship after a treble on the day, but it was hard work from the outset.
Nicky Hendersons free running The Cashel Man cut out the running and had most of his rivals out of their comfort zone.
Even Thyme Hills usually slick jumping suffered at times and Johnson was made to work a good way out.
He eventually drew level up the straight and booted the youngster home despite a drift across the track and a blunder at the last.
Hes good alright…
Thyme Hill notches another win, this time in the Grade 1 Challow
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— Sun Racing (@SunRacing) December 28, 2019
Hobbs was coy on his Festival target and stated the ground could decide whether he goes for the Ballymore or Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
He said: His jumping was what concerned me a little bit but he dossed around a bit when he got to the front too.
Where he goes at Cheltenham will depend on the ground. If its soft, hell likely stay over this trip and if its goodish ground hell probably go over three miles.
Hes done everything fantastically well in his short career and hes not the biggest in the world but that hasnt stopped him yet.
Ill see how he is first but I think well go straight to Cheltenham as hes not the kind of horse you want to be running every week.
If he runs before Cheltenham Id just be concerned it could be one race too many.
With Clarence House bound Defi Du Seuil flying the flag, Hobbs has enjoyed a resurgence of late after a spell in the doldrums.
He added: To have horses to win these big races is fantastic. Its always a matter of getting the right ones.
My first aim is to always win plenty of races, but if you can combine that with winning the big ones then thats ideal.
Challow sponsors Betway cut Thyme Hill into 8-1 for the Ballymore and shortened him into 6-1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett.
Earlier on the card Nicky Henderson OBE trained his first ever winner for Lady Bamford as Mister Coffey impressed in the Novice Hurdle.
Hendersons four-year-old was cut into as short as 25-1 for the Supreme but Henderson said hed be kept quiet for the rest of the year and chasing is the game next season.
Johnson brought up his century as part of Tom Laceys double on the card, after Fair Kate won the opener. He went on to ride a treble and go one above Brian Hughes.
The Tizzards unleashed another staying chaser to watch as Copperhead was given a Ladbrokes Trophy aim following his cosy win in the Mandarin Chase.
The five-year-old won pulling a cart and will surely be much higher than his mark of 134 next time out.
