Leading jumps trainer Fergal O’Brien continued his fine form as Accidental Rebel came out on top in a terrific tussle to win the Grade Two Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.
Starting as a 10/1 chance for the feature at Friday’s Jump Season Opener, Accidental Rebel tracked the pace set by Brian Hughes on favourite Presentandcounting.
As the champion jockey’s chances faded, last year’s top trainer came to the fore as Paul Nicholls’ Outlaw Peter cruised into the lead under Harry Cobden.
They appeared to have every chance heading to the second last, but Paddy Brennan quickly drew alongside on Accidental Rebel and the pair battled it out to the final flight.
Cobden landed narrowly in front, but Brennan and his mount kept fighting, getting up to win by one-and-a-half lengths at the line and giving O’Brien a second Persian War title after Poetic Rhythm’s triumph in 2017.
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