SUMMERVILLE BOY (10-1) lit up winter with an emphatic success in the Grade 2 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle.
Tom George’s former Festival winner showed fine New Year’s resolution to see off Mares’ Hurdle winner Roksana (7-2) in the Cheltenham contest.
Reverting to hurdles after a decent enough chasing campaign, the son of Sandmason rediscovered his former spark with a game front-running effort in the afternoon’s feature.
Johnny Burke got his fractions absolutely right from the head of affairs and despite the relentless challenge of Roksana,his mount managed to eke out a little more in the shadows of the post.
The Skeltons, successful earlier on the card withOldgrangewood,had to settle for second asWilliam Henry (15-2) boxed on for third.
Talking horseEmitomwas never travelling well and struggled from the home turn.
Class act – Summerville Boy bounces back and lands the Relkeel, his first hurdles success since Supreme glory for @TomGeorgeRacing at @CheltenhamRaces
Results
https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/SHTubszoRD
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 1, 2020
It’s been a long road back for the 2018 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero – but he finally looks ready to take on the big guns once again.
A delighted Tom George said: “Summerville Boy always schooled well over fences and when things went wrong last time we thought we’d go back over hurdles.
“This seemed the obvious race as we always thought he’d want a bit further.
“He’s answered the questions. He used to be wound-up as a young horse, but is relaxed now and we put the earplugs back in, which probably helped as well.
“He always looked a proper stayer even in the Supreme he outstayed them and he kept galloping away. “Schooling over fences and running in chases has probably helped his jumping over hurdles.”
The winner was cut to a general 20-1 for the Champion Hurdle in March.
