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http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...th/973366/top/

Sandown, Saturday

32Red Hurdle (Novices' Hurdle) (Registered as the Tolworth Hurdle) (Grade 1) 2m½f, 4yo+

CAPTAIN CONAN defied a big drift in the market to win the Tolworth with a late lunge, ultimately owing his victory to Colour Squadron's inability to keep straight on the run-in.

The Philip Hobbs-trained leader easily saw off all bar Captain Conan, and would likely have beaten that one too if not for swerving violently left after the final jump, a loss of ground that proved decisive at the post, where Nicky Henderson's Captain Conan was the victor by just a short head.

Winning jockey Barry Geraghty said: "Some company would certainly help this one as well. He was very green and there'll certainly be improvement."

Sarah Hobbs, wife of Colour Squadron's trainer Philip, marked the race down as one that got away. "Richard [Johnson] said basically it was greeness, and you are there to be shot at when you make it. He has thrown it away really," she said

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Sandown, Saturday

32Red.com HBLB Handicap Chase 3m1/2f 5yo+

HOLD ON JULIO overcame the odd sketchy jump to gain another impressive victory at Sandown to the delight of favourite backers who forced his price into 5-2having been 9-2 this morning

A multiple winning pointer, Hold On Julio has continued to impress under rules since changing hands for £28,000. He went up 13lb for winning a class 3 over course and distance last time, and having recovered from a bout of ringworm he was very much fancied here and proved a really progressive sort to run away with this nice prize despite being 3lb out ofthe weights.

It will be interesting to see where Hold On Julio goes now. Given he is now two from two at Sandown, the obvious target would be the Bet365 Gold Cup in April, but the Cheltenham Festival will also give the nine-year-old's trainer a few options before then.