JOHN QUINN'S Leslingtaylor, three times a winner on the level during the summer, opened his hurdles account at the first attempt in dramatic fashion in the first division of the Beth-Hamer Philip Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Market Rasen. Having also had a successful campaign on the flat this year, Indian Pipe Dream (6-5 favourite) took up the running entering the straight but as they raced to the final flight it looked as if Leslingtaylor (54) was travelling the better.

However Indian Pipe Dream got away from the hurdle the quicker and looked as if he would go on and win but Lee's mount rallied in game fashion to put his head in front literally on the line to win by a short head.

Quinn trains Leslingtaylor for his wife Sue and said:

"They did not go quick enough for him and we held on to him this time, but we would not be afraid of going on with him. It took Graham a long time to pull him up and he thinks he is a fair horse, I do too, I have some nice novices but I really like him even though he is for sale . . . we will look for a better race now."