Son Of Getaway Is Cheltenham Bound After Maiden Hurdle Victory

Rathhill (5g Getaway - Bella Venezia, by Milan) won his first start under rules at Newbury on Wednesday.

Second in his sole point-to-point start for Colin McKeever, the son of Getaway had since been sold privately to JP McManus. Now in the care of Nicky Henderson, he was sent off second favourite for the maiden hurdle over two miles and half a furlong. Travelling well behind the leaders three from home, he was shaken up by Barry Geraghty after the last to lead inside the final furlong, scoring by a length and a half.

A delighted Nicky Henderson said after the race, “Rathhill has done the job right and I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't because he's always looked the part - he's got a great temperament and attitude to life. We came here to see if he'd do it well to bring him into the Tolworth, which is probably what we're thinking about.”

Rathhill was bred by Frank Motherway, whose Yellowford Farm sold a Walk In The Park half-brother for €65,000 at the recent November NH Sale at Tattersalls Ireland.