Racing: Leading Arkle Trophy fancy Justified put in a solid round of jumping to take the Pheasant Inn Novices' Chase at Newbury today.
Eamonn Sheehy's seven-year-old made all under Tony McCoy to land a competitive-looking two-mile-one-furlong event at odds of 8-13.
The Irish gelding travelled well throughout and moved clear of runner-up Cornish Sett - who made a mistake at the final fence - on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.
Sheehy was satisfied with Justified's performance, particularly given his rough journey from Ireland to Newbury.
"He had a terrible journey over," said the trainer. "The travelling arrangements did not work out and we were on the road for 17 hours yesterday. Owing the circumstances, I'm well pleased.
"Tony said he went pretty quick down the back straight and he was idling a bit on his own in front. But he was pleased with the way the horse picked up again when he was challenged and I'm happy if he's happy.
"It was always the plan to come to somewhere in England before Cheltenham and also to silence the critics a bit and give him some more experience of a left-handed track."