The winner of this Premier Wellington Hurdle (3100m) was a very much in form The Cossack that is building an imposing record in this role. The 8yo gelding settled down last then improved fifth across the top before moving up second turning for home and then leading at the 50m to score by one and a half lengths in 3:41.04. This Premier Hurdle and the Premier Steeplechase were held at Hastings on a Slow8 track after Trentham proved to be bottomless and unraceable. The winners and where they came from on the home turn were fourth (four-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), second (seven-off the fence and three lengths from the leader), co-leader (one-off the inside), third (one-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), second (eight-off the inside and half a length from the leader), led (four-off the fence and half a length in front), third (on the fence and length and a half from the leader), sixth (seven-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), third (five-off the inside and half a length from the leader) and led (three-off the inside and half a length in front). The Cossack was winning his fifth Hurdle race today from ten starts and has only been out of the money once when fourth so loves his jumping. Today was his third Premier Hurdle win and he has won both directions plus handles all types of footing too. Runner up today was Tallyho Twinkletoe, a proven class act jumper, which augurs even more so for the winner. Under 71kg and carrying 5kg more the 11yo gelding raced sixth then was sent forward and led across the top looking home turning in but he was headed at the final 50m. He would score in his next two runs as a Steeplechaser (he is unbeaten in this role). Third home was Aigne that raced seventh early then went wide turning in and reached third at the 250m fighting on well to be beaten just over two lengths. Fourth home was Chief Sequoyah, the favourite, that settled back then improved the inside a lap out to fifth before working off. He reached fourth at the 100m but was very distant and beaten over twelve lengths and was disappointing overall. Fifth home was Bak Da Master that raced second and weakened the run home to be beaten over thirteen and a half lengths. Sixth home and beaten just under fourteen lengths was Tommyra that raced ninth then went up third across the top before weakening out. Next home was El Luchador that raced eighth mostly before weakening out across the top and was beaten almost eighteen lengths. The rest got beaten over twenty-one lengths and as much as over thirty-nine lengths that finished the race. Two runners in Master Finn and My Tommy were pulled up two fences from home. The Cossack is a jumping force and has not missed the top three since last October and that included a flat run too.