Welsh trainer Evan Williams is considering where next for Doyen Star after his horse won the opening race at Chepstow on Friday.
Ridden by Adam Wedge, 15/2 shot Doyen Star held off the well-backed 10/11 favourite Crebilly to win by three lengths and give Williams some head-scratching to do ahead of future festival targets.
“He hasn’t run for a long time and he wouldn’t want that mid-winter ground,” said Williams.
“He’s in a few races at Cheltenham and this gives us something to think about. Wherever he goes in the future might be a different league altogether.”
Skinflint came home to win by a dominant 10 lengths in the 2.00 handicap chase, from Ballinsker and Dreaming Blue.
Inch House just managed to hold off The Newest One in the 2.30 novices’ hurdle, with favourite Heezer Geezer back in third.
Welsh rugby fans looking for Six Nations omens will have been discouraged by Irish success in the 3.00 novices’ limited handicap chase, which was won by Ireland’s Monbeg Genius, trained by Jonjo O’Neil and ridden by Jonjo Junior, with another Irish horse, Stormy Flight in second.
Max Dynamo was a winner in the 3.30 handicap chase, ahead of Silver In Disguise with In Rem finishing third.
Favourite Santos Blue won the 4.05 handicap hurdle from No No Tonic and Are U Wise To That.
The 4.40 bumper was won by Beachcomber, making it a double for Jonjo O’Neil and Jonjo Junior with Delgany Bobby Blue in second and Sprits Bay third.
