Norton Hill took our score for the season to seventeen with a determined success from the front under top weight in a long distance handicap hurdle at Hereford on his second start since wind surgery. Congratulations to Jeremy & Sarah Barber and Anthony Norman – all great supporters of the yard!
It was good to see Norton Hill win a race off a mark of 109 after a slightly frustrating campaign last winter.
His jockey Sam Twiston-Davies was right when he said he has an interesting way of jumping the hurdles.
Every jump is a little bit different and he has always been like that despite having plenty of practise at home.
I felt Norton Hill was a little bit more in his comfort zone on Tuesday with the blinkers back on, over almost three and a quarter mile. You certainly couldn’t fault his attitude as he kept on strongly to hold the challenge of Aldsworth by two and a half lengths.
I am sure at some stage we will give him a try over fences – he has already schooled over them at home.
