Bass Hunter impresses on hurdling debut at Plumpton

Chris Gordon said it was a “huge relief” to get Bass Hunter’s hurdling career off to a flying start after watching the gelding make an impressive winning debut over obstacles at Plumpton.

Third behind The Mourne Rambler in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last season, the six-year-old reappeared in the Betty Chantler Novices’ Hurdle.

Sent off at the prohibitive price of 1-4, he made all and jumped well under Freddie Gordon, coming home eight and a half lengths clear of previous winner Anniversary.

The Morestead handler will now look to build the gelding’s experience with another small novice in around three or four weeks time before stepping him up in grade, with Haydock and Aintree potential destinations before the turn of the year.

“That is a huge relief as I was making up all sorts of reasons why he wouldn’t win beforehand,” said a delighted Gordon. “He conducted himself beautifully in the paddock and while he jumped a little bit out to his right I was pleased with his jumping.

“In the bumpers last year he was always lugging to the left so he was comfortable around Newbury and Cheltenham but if you look at his Irish point-to-points he jumped off to his right. But I would say it was minimal and we will do plenty with him between now and his next run and hopefully he will learn plenty.

“I came down here because I think a novice learns an awful lot around here. It’s tight, the hurdles come to you pretty quickly and you are going up and down the hill. Now we will look for another little novice somewhere along the line then we will be stepping up (in class).”

Gordon mentioned both Haydock and Aintree as possible venues for a step into Graded company with the Newton Novices’ Hurdle (previously the Rossington Main) on November 21 at the former and the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle also on his radar.

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he came back down here (Plumpton) for his next run before then but we will see what is around when he is ready,” said Gordon. “We will give him three or four weeks and then see what is around.”

The father and son duo later doubled up with Nap Hand (15-8 favourite) in the Bet Goodwin Handicap Hurdle.