Swain suffers shock defeat

Classic Swain's prospects of landing the Galway Hurdle all but went up in smoke as the former French-trained gelding was beaten at odds of 1-3 in the Claydon Horse Exercisers Novices' Hurdle at Stratford.Trainer Paul Nicholls sent the favourite in search of a hat-trick after victories at Newton Abbot and over this course and distance, but Christian Williams had to roust him to shake-off Twill before Consulate emerged as a second and more potent threat turning for home.In what became a battle over the last two flights, Daryl Jacob and Consulate outbattled Classic Swain to score by a length and a half. Nicholls has not completely ruled out the idea of a trip to Ballybrit, but his first reaction was to talk in terms of giving his charge a well-earned break.He said: "He really wants further and didn't get the out-and-out gallop that happened when he won at Newton Abbot. With an idle horse like him you almost need a pacemaker. I also thought the rain didn't help, as he likes rattling fast ground."I think we'll give him a little break as he's been on the go all season, then I can bring him back for the big handicap hurdle at Chepstow."It would be unfair to take any credit away from Consulate, selected at the sales by trainer Gordon Edwards' daughter Gemma, who is David Pipe's secretary.This was only the 8-1 chance's third run over hurdles and Edwards said: "Gemma picked him at the Doncaster Sales and he's taken to this job as well as I could have hoped."Nicholls had enjoyed better luck in the previous race, the Claydon Horse Exercisers Novices' Chase, which went to his 3-1 chance Just Amazing. Superior jumping proved the key for the six-year-old, who is now unbeaten in two outings for owners Catherine and Roger Penny.He spent the last three fences in glorious isolation under Christian Williams, before coming home a distance clear of Tot Of The Knar.Nicholls confessed to being concerned about the three-mile trip, adding: "As he's always been a free-going type, I was nervous about the trip. I told Christian there was no point in fighting him, but I didn't think we'd beat the mare (Tot Of The Knar). It was his jumping that proved the difference today."