Hollo Ladies can have say in higher company

The six-year-old was a Grade One-winning novice hurdler for Noel Meade last winter before heading for a new career in Britain at the start of this season.

Stepped up to three miles for the first time, the chestnut benefited from a typical waiting ride from Graham Lee and came to challenge favourite Be There In Five jumping the second last.

To his credit, the latter did not go down without a fight and came back after the last, but Hollo Ladies clung on by a head.

Murphy said: "He's a nice horse and I always thought he'd be all right once we stepped him up in trip. Graham said he got there too soon really and he's just idled when he was in front.

"He's already rated 137, so winning today will probably take him out of the race that was the Jewson (Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase) at the Festival, so that means he'll either have to go for the two-and-a-half-mile novice or the RSA Chase.

"I do think he's good enough and I think he'll improve quite a bit from the run today."

Champion jockey Tony McCoy endured a mixed day with two short-priced defeats and two winners.

McCoy was aboard Nicky Henderson's Be There In Five and also suffered a narrow reverse on the trainer's 1-5 favourite Bellvano in the starsportsbet.co.uk Novices' Chase.

The latter won two bumpers and two hurdle races but, despite travelling strongly, he was unable to get the better of Howard Johnson's Hold Fast (6-1) and Brian Hughes.

"I took it up with a circuit to run as he's a horse who stays further," said Hughes.

McCoy then went one better on Jonjo O'Neill's 8-1 chance Raise You Five in the Open A Star Sports Account On 08000 521 321 Handicap Chase, before giving Henderson some compensation by guiding 8-13 jolly Problema Tic to victory in the Southwell "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.

Kevin Morgan's 11-2 chance Bromhead ran away with the Happy New Year From Star Sports Handicap Hurdle by eight lengths in the hands of James Reveley.

The jockey said: "Kevin told me he had him in great nick, so I went out there full of confidence. He gave me a great ride."

Knight Pass (1-2 favourite) further enhanced his reputation with an effortless display in the concluding bumper.

Warren Greatrex's youngster was already towards the head of the betting for the Champion Bumper following a brilliant debut win at Sandown and those odds look sure to contract further following this four-length triumph.