Newland eyes Ebony Express double

Dr Richard Newland is hoping Imperial Cup winner Ebony Express can recover in time to run at this week’s Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old stormed past Rayvin Black to win the Grade Three handicap hurdle on Saturday and his camp are now looking to capitalise on his momentum by trying to follow his Sandown triumph up at Prestbury Park.

Martin and David Pipe are currently the only two trainers to have won both the Imperial Cup and gone on to be successful at Cheltenham but after a few recent health issues, Ebony Express now appears as if he could be in good enough shape to complete the double.

The horse currently holds entries to both the Martin Pipe and the County Hurdle, and the Grand National winning trainer is hopeful his charge will be strong enough to complete a double, which in the process would earn him a lucrative bonus.

Newland said: “The Pipes are the only ones who have won the bonus (for winning this race and a race at Cheltenham) and I’d love to have least have a go (in County Hurdle).”