Conservative made his first appearance over hurdles at Worcester on Thursday for trainer Joe Tizzard in the JiC Transport Novices' Hurdle (18:45) over two miles.

Since moving to Joe's yard from Scott Dixon earlier in the year, Conservative has had two spins on the flat at Bath, but the plan has always been to give him a chance over hurdles if he took to them whilst training at home – and that he did.

Ground is key to Conservative as he wouldn't want it too soft, so that's why we've had to wait a little longer than we would've liked to give him his first run over hurdles. However, following the recent dry spell, Worcester offered the ideal opportunity for us to give the club's five-year-old son of Churchill his first attempt.

Race Review

Thursday's field included eight rivals, and was headed by hot favourite and previous winner, Seasett. As the tape was lifted, the pack headed towards the first set of hurdles fairly well bunched up, with Conservative sitting handy under jockey Brendan Powell.

He was a little keen throughout the first half of the contest, but he was jumping well given it was his first competitive start over obstacles. As they jumped the last in the back straight, it was Conservative and eventual winner, Hola Hermosa, who were at the rear of the field, but there was still only a few lengths from first to last.

Conservative looked to have hit a flat spot after that jump, so Brendan started to get more theatrical in the saddle looking for a response, but it wasn't until they turned for home when Conservative had to be pulled wide when he looked to have found a second wind. As they jumped the second last, Conservative swept by Matchadam and Katstar, and was sent on to chase the rest of the field.

Unfortunately from there on out it was only a battle between Seasett and Hola Hermosa as to who was going to win the race, but Conservative kept on gallantly in the long home straight, eventually coming home in 6th place.

WATCH: Brendan Powell shares his thoughts on Conservative's hurdles debut

What next for Conservative?

Following the race, Joe Tizzard shared his thoughts and outlined what could be next for Conservative.

"Conservative has come out of his Worcester race absolutely fine, in fact you’d hardly know he’s had a race. At one point he looked as if he was going to be tailed off, but he’s kept on again, and apart from a mistake at the last, he jumped well throughout. Brendan [Powell] said the same, he went from being a bit too keen, to virtually nothing, and then he’s stayed on.

He picked up a couple of small nicks, but these were nothing serious and will heal themselves in a few days, certainly nothing to stop us. We’ll look to give him three runs so we get a handicap mark, and because he’s come out of the race well, we’ve put him in again at Worcester next Thursday (16:35) in another two mile maiden hurdle.

There is then a three weeks break to the jumps season, so he’ll have a short break and then we’ll give him his third run, after which we can run him in handicaps. He shows us enough at home to make me sure there’s some ability there, and again, Brendan agrees, so we just have to find the key to him.

He’s a bit of an enigma and a puzzle, but one I’m looking forward to cracking!"