Prospect Wells got the Graham Wylie/Paul Nicholls combination off to the best possible start when making a winning debut over jumps at Chepstow.
Former smart Flat racer Prospect Wells was among the horses leading owner Wylie transferred to the champion handler when his long-time trainer Howard Johnson was banned for four years earlier this year. The horse almost died following complications after a gelding operation went wrong earlier in his career, but all that is clearly well behind him.
The six-year-old looks to have a bright future after landing division one of the toteplacepot Novices' Hurdle by four and a half lengths from Battlecat. Prospect Wells (11-4) put in a good round of jumping for Daryl Jacob and was soon in control after taking the lead at the second-last.
"That was very pleasing. He's a lovely horse and has tons of ability, but it took a long time to get him ready to run over jumps. He wasn't very good when Howard (Johnson) was first trying him out," said Wylie.
"All credit to Paul Nicholls for getting him to win, but also to Howard Johnson for saving his life because he had great problems with his operations. I think because of all that he needed a year off just to recover from the exhaustion of the operations.
"He's a lovely prospect, Paul was very impressed with him, so we'll see where we go from now. He jumped great and he seemed to enjoy it. He jumped the first flight beautifully and the others as well, even when he got barged into it."
Prospect Wells was given a quote of 20-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
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