Galway next for Webber's Ulundi

Paul Webber landed the biggest Flat success of his training career when Ulundi held the thrust of Thundering Surf to land the £100,000 Tote Exacta Handicap at Sandown yesterday.

Ulundi has proved a money-spinner for Webber since being switched to Webber from his previous trainer, Lady Herries. Connections had reasoned that the six-year-old would benefit from a location well away from other yards and Webber's Banbury base fitted the bill. Since then, Ulundi has won the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr and a Goodwood conditions event.

In yesterday's mile-and-a-quarter contest, Richard Hughes gave the 10-1 chance a peach of a ride to lay down a challenge to Riberac over two furlongs out and then, having shaken off that rival, hold Thundering Surf in a driving finish.

Webber's hopes are high that Ulundi can make an impact against the cream of the hurdling crop next season and the gelding's owner, David Heath, is clutching vouchers at fancy prices for next year's Champion Hurdle.

More immediately, Ulundi is to be sent to Ireland for the IR£110,000 Galway Hurdle on 2 August. Webber enthused: "Providing he has quick conditions there, he's got to go well and of course we'll be hoping beyond hope that we also get fast ground at the Festival next March.

"We had a little scare with him yesterday when he didn't scope perfectly, but thank goodness he was fine this morning."