CHAMP (Nicky Henderson/Barry Geraghty, Evens Favourite) made it four wins from as many starts over hurdles this season in winning the Grade One Betway Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

Always travelling well, Champ took up the running narrowly approaching the last and stayed on strongly to score by two-and-a-half lengths from Getaway Trump (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden, 10/1) with Kateson (Tom Lacey/Tom Scudamore, 9/2) third, a further three-quarters of a length adrift.

The six-year-old Champ is owned by J P McManus and boasts an outstanding pedigree, having been sired by leading jump sire King's Theatre and his dam being China Sky, a half-sister to triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate.

It was a third success in the race for McManus, following Captain Cutter (2013, also trained by Nicky Henderson) and Wichita Lineman (2006).

He is named in honour of 20-time champion jump jockey Sir A P McCoy, who used to ride for McManus and is still an adviser to the owner.

McCoy's young son, Archie, who calls Champ his favourite horse, accepted the trophy along with Geraghty. Champ spent the summer with the McCoys.

Geraghty said: "It was a slow-run race and we sprinted down the straight. He has speed and he stays well. It was hard enough work to get on top, but he did pull away in the end. He was doing his best.

"He was still a little bit keen. You don't know until you come away from the second last whether you are good enough to win off of a slow pace, but thankfully, he answered the call.

"There is loads to like about Champ. He is a lovely horse – a big, good-looking fella who obviously jumps and stays well.

"Today was a tricky race if you are trying to evaluate him. He has done what he had to do.

"In an ideal world, you would like a truer run race. The pecking order could be different, but I would like to think Champ would still be on top.

"I think it was smart race and that the form will work out. It is a nice Grade One to win."

Saturday was also the final raceday to be presided over by Richard Osgood, Newbury's longstanding Clerk of the Course.

Osgood was born and bred on the racecourse site, becoming assistant to his father Frank, who was part of the management team from 1947 until he retired in 1990, estates manager and then clerk of the course in 2001.

A presentation was made to Osgood before racing by Dominic Burke, chairman of Newbury Racecourse, while the jockeys formed a Guard of Honour.

The 13/8 favourite Song For Someone (Tom Symonds/James Nixon (7)) then claimed the Betway 'Farewell To Richard Osgood' Juvenile Hurdle over two miles in the opening race.

Champagne Platinum (Nicky Henderson/Barry Geraghty, Evens favourite) maintained his 100 per cent record over fences when successful in the Betway Introductory Hurdle, while other winners included Another Crick (Noel Williams/Wayne Hutchinson, 11st, 2/1 favourite), I'm A Game Changer (Philip Hobbs/Richard Johnson, 11st 6lb, 13/2), Carole's Destrier (Neil Mulholland/Robbie Dunne, 11st 12lb, 12/1) and De Rasher Counter (Emma Lavelle/Adam Wedge, 10st 7lb, 10/1), who saw off Walt (Neil Mulholland/Sam Twiston-Davies, 10st 3lb, 7/1) by a neck after a sustained duel after the last.