Anglers Crag made an eye-catching debut for the David Pipe stable with a staying on debut win at Leicester.
The seven-year-old, who was formerly in Ireland with Terence O'Brien, defeated the long odds-on shot Dubrovnik Harry in the EBF British Stallion Studs 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Angler Crag went off a generous 10/1 for the two miles four furlong contest.
Pipe's Irish import won a point-to-point and bumper in Ireland, as well as finishing third to Cheltenham Festival scorer Sir Gerhard, and transferred that form to the smaller obstacles on his first start for the Pipe team.
Anglers Crag was too strong for the 1-3 favourite Dubrovnik Harry and took the race by half a length in the hands of Tom Scudamore.
"Delighted with that. He's a horse we've thought a lot of. He's had his issues. He's always shown the right tendencies at home and has improved for the step up in trip," said Scudamore.
"He knows how to win and he wants to win. It's hard work out there but he's ground it out well. I was taken with him. He's a strapping horse and every inch a chaser."
Anglers Crag has an entry for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle for which he is available at a price of 100/1.
