WHITSBURY-based trainer Paul Henderson disproved an old theory with a tenacious victory at Wincanton last week.
Rior, a pony-sized six-year-old, contradicted that a good big ‘un will always beat a good little ‘un as the 10-1 outsider beat favourite Lumps Gold to clinch the 2m6f novices’ handicap hurdle by three-quarters of a length under Tom O’Brien.
Henderson – saddling his eighth winner of the National Hunt Horse Racing season – said: “I bought Rior unseen from Ireland and I couldn’t believe how small he was when he arrived but he’s got a big heart and he’s a real trier and a neat jumper.”
The 12 members of the Henderson’s Racing Club who own the King’s Theatre gelding were ecstatic at their first win.
Syndicate manager Bob Galpin of Titchfield said: “Rior has run only three times for us. He was third last time and we hoped to be placed again, so we’re delighted with this performance."
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