Not So Sleepy stayed on better of all to win the rescheduled Betfair Combating Fifth Hurdle at Sandown.
Saved from Newcastle’s deserted card final weekend, the race misplaced loads of its lustre when Nicky Henderson withdrew the present champion hurdler Structure Hill and stablemate Shishkin.
That meant simply 4 went to submit, with Goshen and You Put on It Effectively setting a powerful sufficient gallop within the circumstances. By the second final these two had accomplished their working whereas Not So Sleepy, who turns 12 in a number of weeks, was nonetheless on the bridle below Sean Bowen.
Love Envoi, who had probably not been travelling all through, quickly appeared on the scene however approaching the final Not So Sleepy, who dead-heated within the race with Epatante in 2021, quickened eight lengths clear.
It was a noteworthy success for Bowen, who additionally holds a sizeable lead within the race to change into champion jockey.
“You can see why Nicky didn’t want to turn up,” quipped a delighted Morrison. “That was a Grade One, these mares have been Grade One mares, Goshen ought to have gained a Grade One and he has dead-heated in a Grade One. Every time circumstances are proper he’s a Grade One horse.
“I am thrilled, that is the race we’ve got aimed for since Newbury and it’s a nice aid that we’re right here.
“It is nice for the staff and Raj who leads him up, rides him day-after-day and will get ran away with at dwelling. You must hold it easy at dwelling and he’s a legend. That is his tenth season racing and he has misplaced none of his enthusiasm and he’s higher than ever.
“He is magnificent, he’s a legend, he is absolutely unique. He runs away with his jockey everyday and you can’t take him to half the gallops because he will plant and do things like that. But he was in the mood today, he looked really well and funny enough in the Cesarewitch didn’t look as well as I thought he would. If you looked at him today in the paddock he looked magnificent.
“Coming to the second final I believed we had it gained after which I believed we have been beat. However Sean mentioned as quickly as they got here to him he simply picked up once more. He did what he did at Newbury and the explanation he can hold going is you simply do not know the way good he’s.”
Bowen added: “It is gruelling floor but it surely was one thing he appeared to relish at the moment. It is wonderful to get a trip on that type of horse. He was the outsider and possibly had lots to do, however on his day is a really superb horse.
“He got to the front two out and had a look around at the last, but he was always going to win when he heard someone behind him. “It is wonderful to get these Grade Ones, it is good.”