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The recent rumour doing the rounds was that, despite the abundant novice hurdle talent in his yard, the best Nicky Henderson performer in that sphere may not even have run yet.
And, for once, the gossip merchants may just have got it right as Punchestowns impressed in winning on his hurdling debut at Sandown today.
He may have been receiving 10lb from the runner-up and taken time to warm to his task in the race itself, the 11-8 favourite trading as high as 10-1 in-running on Betfair, but he quickened up smartly to nail The Package on the run-in.
He is still some way off Cheltenham class, but some Betfair punters have fancy prices that accommodate that.
One Betfair,punter has £33.50 at 429-1 on the horse for the Supreme, while another £63 has been matched at 419-1.