Mr Versatile

Only Orsenfoolsies, a four-year-old from Desert Gold, by Desert Prince, had finished in the first four at nine of 10 starts on the flat before being switched to jumps racing which now dominates the UK scene.

He was a first-up second to Hidden Justice in the two-mile and 110 yard Juvenile Hurdle at Wetherby on December 27 then won the two-mile Novice Hurdle at Catterick yesterday (Thursday, January 10).

Only Orsenfoolsies, prepared by North Yorkshire trainer Micky Hammond, a former top jumps rider who won the Scottish National on Hardy Lad, tracked the leaders, hit the front with two furlongs to go, was six lengths clear at the furlong and scored by eight lengths.

The win gave Trade Fair his fourth English success in the past six days.

Renegotiate won over 12 furlongs on the flat at Wolverhampton on Tuesday, Flag Of Glory over 9 1/2 furlongs on the flat at Wolverhampton on Monday and Basle over seven furlongs on the flat at Wolverhampton last Friday.

Trade Fair now has 112 winners (55 per cent) who have been successful from 1000m to the staying trips.

Majority owned by Ted van Heemst’s Lynward Park Stud, Bullsbrook, Trade Fair stands at John Andrew’s Alwyn Park Stud, Serpentine.