Botox Has makes light work of lengthy absence

Moore runner trimmed in Champion Hurdle market.

Botox Has defied a 315-day absence to make a triumphant return to action in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Gary Moore-trained four-year-old picked up where he left off in the extended two-mile prize, on his first start since claiming a Triumph Hurdle trial in December.

Tracking the early pace cut out by Allmankind, the 11-2 chance moved into a lead he would not surrender on the approach to the last.

Finding plenty, Botox Has crossed the line four lengths clear of The Pink’N, with favourite Allmankind a further three and a half lengths adrift back in third.

Winning jockey Joshua Moore said: “He won nicely. He picked up quicker than I expected down the hill and he saw it out really well. I was hoping it wouldn’t turn into a test of speed, so I sat as close as I could to Harry (Skelton, on Allmankind) and he hit the hill and galloped out well.

“When I rode him here in the November meeting, I rode him with the future in mind and I took the wider route for the better ground at the time and he was a weaker horse last year. This time I rode him closer and I was quite confident he would give him (Allmankind) a race.

“The Elite Hurdle wouldn’t be for this lad, as it would be too quick (of a return) for him.”

Botox Has was introduced at 50-1 for the Champion Hurdle by Betfair, while William Hill went 33-1 for the same race.

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