The Big Macmillan Raceday, Worcester Racecourse, Friday 28th September 2018

Oct 10, 2018
12 min read

Good afternoon all,

The Big Macmillan Raceday returned to Worcester on Friday 28th September, and we were there to cover the racing. Strangely however, there was not a single sighting of a Mr Fergal O’Brien, made even more odd by the fact he adores cake. Oh well, guess we shall have to pay him and the staff a visit in due course.

Race 1 – The John Burke Memorial Handicap Steeplechase

King Alfonso completed a hat trick of back to back wins in the opener at Worcester, the John Burke Memorial Handicap Steeplechase.

Sent off the 3/1 Joint Favourite, he made it 3 wins on the trot since winning a selling hurdle at Market Rasen in August under jockey Richard Patrick for trainer Dai Burchell.

Mightbeall Forluck and Connor Brace led over the first from Macabe Creek and King Alfonso, with Salto Chisco landing a little awkwardly over it, but not a serious error. Heading over the fourth fence Mightbeall Forluck had extended the lead to two lengths, and as the field went past the winning post with a circuit to go that lead was eroded away to just a neck as King Alfonso made progress and headway, as the field swung around the city bend into the back straight.

Down the back the pace began to lift, with the first notable sign of alarm came from the early leader Mightbeall Forluck as he wasn’t fluent over the sixth, Connor Brace beginning to niggle along for him to pick up his ideas as they left the fence behind. King Alfonso took the lead going to the seventh, but then it was his turn to make an error and surrendered the lead back to Mightbeall Forluck.

At the eighth King Alfonso was more fluent and took the lead back. McCabe Creek also went forward past Mightbeall Forluck, who was now starting to struggle to keep his position and began to drop away from the field, along with Saffron Prince who was also toiling.

Turning into the straight and approaching 4 at the back of the field Mightbeall Forluck was pulled up as the race began to unwind towards it’s final few obstacles. All remaining horses negotiated the fence and headed down to the last ditch, that being 3 out. Dr Dunraven was awkward at it, but was still at the head of contention heading to 2 out.

Dr Dunraven took the lead at 2 out ahead of King Alfonso, those two ahead of Salto Chisco and McCabe Creek, with a further few lengths back to Dark Invader in fifth. At the last Dr Dunraven barely lifted a leg, ploughing straight through the fence and sending the birch flying. It didn’t manage to knock the stuffing out of him, but he may not have appreciated seeing the rallying King Alfonso on his right, who was much more fluent over the last and set off up the furlong run in after him. Despite drifting to the right slightly, he stayed on stoutly to win by 6 lengths to the staying on Salto Chisco, who claimed second on the line in front of Dr Dunraven, the error at the last possibly not helping him outbattle the runner up.

Race 2 – The Local Parking Security Novices Steeplechase

Treackle Tart opened her account over fences with victory in the Local Parking Security Novices Steeplechase for trainer Charlie Longsdon and jockey Jonathan Burke.

Having made her seasonal bow after a break of 3 months, she went better than her last two attempts over fences, which were a second and a third at Warwick and Worcester respectively at the end of what had been a long season for her.

Arctic Gold and Treackle Tart led over the first, Black Jack Jaxon and the rest of the field settled in behind. There were no real alarms during the first half mile or so, all runners seemingly going well within themselves and jumping fluently during a steady pace. A minor exception for Sussex Road, who just seemed to be niggled away going into the far turn from the fence, and also received a slap down the neck from jockey Finian O’Toole.

Out from the 8th, the last in the straight, the front two Arctic Gold and Treackle Tart held a 5 length gap on the field, this continuing past the winning post with a circuit to go and into the city bend. Sussex Road was still not travelling fluently however, and had to be shaken up again.

Arctic Gold pressed on heading towards the ninth, the first down the back and with a circuit under their belts. Boston Heather made a move under Harry Skelton to close in on the leading duo towards the 11th, where Arctic Gold wasn’t fluent.

At the 12th Boston Heather was shaken up, 5 lengths adrift of the leaders as they turned out of the back straight and around the far bend. Rumor was a further 7 lemgths adrift of them, with Sussex Road and Black Jack Jaxon well out of contention and pulling up.

At 3 out, the last ditch, Treackle Tart was cruising along, with Arctic Gold being ridden along. Between the final two fences Jonathan Burke sent on the mare and she jumped the last 3 lengths ahead of Arctic Gold, and on the run in to the line pulled even further clear to win by 10 lengths in impressive fashion. The combination of good ground and a step up to 3 miles appears to have made a huge difference to her, but also considering that it was her first run of the season there could be much more to come from her.

Race 3 – The Bob Love “King Of The Dirt” Memorial Mares’ Handicap Steeplechase

Tara Mac took the Bob Love “King Of The Dirt” Memorial Mares’ Handicap Steeplechase for trainer Tim Vaughan and jockey Alan Johns, and in doing so recorded an upset of some kind as she had been sent off at 25/1, having opened at 22/1 .

Lerichi Belle was very keen heading down the first, where Northern Beau made an error and Field Exhibition crashed out at, though thankfully her and jockey Richard Johnson were up and okay after the incident.

Down the home straight Lerichi Belle was 5 lengths ahead, while Micras was dropping back having jumped off prominently.

Tara Mac had improved to go second in what was a steadily run race as the field swung around the city bend and into the back straight, in which Lerichi Belle’s lead was reduced to three legths at the first down the back, the mare having a look around as she approached it.

A first error for Tara Mac followed at the last down the back, but she and Lerichi Belle were a good 7 lengths ahead of the field at the beginning of the home turn, those headed by Northern Beau, Chasma and Barton Rose. Micras was detached at this point and Still Believing was tailing off.

Turning into the home straight Chasma came to go after the front two leaders, the rest of the field beginning to close up aswell. At the final ditch, 3 out, Tara Mac took the lead, and as the leaders went over 2 out Chasma took second from the weakening Lerichi Belle.

Approaching the last Tara Mac was in front by a good 5 lengths and looking well in control and travelling the strongest. Despite this however, she made a mess of the last, seemingly diving at it, and making sure that Alan Johns sat tight and earnt his riding fee for the race. She stayed on powerfully despite the final fence blunder and went on to score by 13 lengths to the runner up Northern Beau who had gradually picked off rivals as they toiled, a further 3 3/4 lengths to Chasma who was a spent force at the last.

Race 4 – The localparkingsecurity.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

It was a “Really Super” performance from the Amy Murphy trained filly as she emulated her namesake with a very impressive victory in the localparkingsecurity.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

Racing from 4lbs out of the handicap and in a much tougher race than her victory over course and distance the previous month, she ran out a determined winner for her owners the White Diamond Racing Partnership and jockey Jack Quinlan.

As the field set off on their 2 and a half mile journey Curios Carlos, Boreham Bill, Brillare Momento and Really Super were among the early leaders, of which were disputing a very slow pace over the first. It was more up tempo as the field turned around the far bend and into the straight. One to note going down the straight was Wynford, but not for the right reasons, his wayward jumping to the right at his hurdles raising a few brows.

Going down the straight and into the city bend there was no more than 7 or 8 lengths covering the field, the distance remaining the same as they swung into the back straight. Boreham Bill blundered over the first down the back, High Secret going past him in the process.

As they passed their point of departure and over 4 out, Wynford became the first to be ridden along, pitching in amongst the field but struggling to land a blow on his rivals. This told on the home bend as the field drew well away from him as the pace increased and the race intensified.

Over 3 out, the first in the home straight, there were no fewer than 6 who jumped it in a line together, those being from the left High Secret, Really Super, Brillare Momento, Peggies Venture, Boreham Bill and Curious Carlos. Going to 2 out Boreham Bill was the first to commit and went on from Brillare Momento, but Really Super and Peggies Venture was cruising in behind. Mister Universum and Harry Skelton didn’t want to miss out on the party however, and snuck in between Boreham Bill and Brillare Momento to come alongside Really Super, who was just in front of Peggies Venture and Novis Adventus, another who had made stealthy progress to join into the fray. Mister Universum was slower at 2 out than his rivals, surrendering a place or two and at least a length as Boreham Bill and Really Super went ahead towards the last.

Really Super rose a length ahead at the last in front of Boreham Bill, Brillare Momento, Peggies Venture, Novis Adventus and the rallying Mister Universum. Despite them snapping at her heels, she quickened up in impressive fashion on the run in, with only Peggies Venture threatening to come after her, to score by 2 lengths in a gritty, determined manner, with a further 3 and a half lengths to Brillare Momento and Boreham Bill.

The most taken aback by the win happened to be her owners, who were unsure how she would fair in a hotter race than her previous victory and from four pounds out of the handicap. In hindsight, they need not have worried, as it would appear that once again Amy Murphy has potentially a very smart prospect on her hands with Really Super, who has seemingly snuck under the radar. She’s one to watch, particularly if she can handle soft ground this winter.

Race 5 – The Local Parking Security Selling Hurdle

Affaire D’honneur ran out a gutsy winner of the Local parking security Selling Hurdle, making every yard under jockey Brian Hughes for trainer Kevin Frost.

There were question marks over whether or not he would see out the extra 5 furlongs of the almost 3 mile trip, but he did so in the manner which suggests he wants a trip rather than a speed test.

As the field set off he jumped the first clear of Take a Break and Impulsive American, who along with the rest of the field jumped the first cleanly. At the second it couldn’t be said however, as Hartshorne Abbie jumped a little too much, possibly deliberately but definitely some style of an overjump, landing a bit steeper than jockey Harry Stock would have liked.

At the first in the home straight, the fourth, again Hartshorne Abbie was not fluent, but still travelling nicely. Going past the winning post with a circuit to run it was still Affaire D’Honneur in front, who had established a 2 length lead on the field as they approached the city bend. This lead was extended to 3 lengths as the field swung out of the bend and into the back straight, the pace also beginning to lift.

Over the eighth Pac It In went second in an effort to put some pressure on the leader. Unfortunately as the field made their way from the ninth, the last in the back straight, Impulsive American went wrong and was quickly and safely pulled up by Tom Scudamore, his quick thinking preventing further incident. It transpired after the race that the horse had suffered a career ending injury, and he was promptly retired by connections.

As the field came around the home turn Pac It In and Hoke Colburn both came around the outside of Affaire D’Honneur as one. Over 3 out it was still Affaire D’Honneur in front, but he was being chased and harassed by Take a Break as the field made their way to 2 out. Over it Affaire D’Honneur had a 2 length lead, but all the time Take A Break was slowly getting closer to him and threatening to challenge.

Over the last Affaire D’Honneur’s lead was only a solitary length, Take A Break challenging on the inside in a pulsating finish to the race. Despite the latter’s best efforts, he couldn’t get past the leader, and ultimately came ½ a length short of doing so as Affaire D’Honneur clung on to record his much deserved victory. Hoke Colburn took third, with Pac It In taking fourth.

Race 6 – The 7bets4free.com Novices Hurdle

Francky Du Berlais made sure the long trip back to Haverfordwest was a joyous one as he took the 7bets4free.com Novices Hurdle for the trainer and jockey/father and son combination of Peter and James Bowen.

Sent off 4/1 in a relatively informative and competitive hurdle, he made almost every yard to score in a tight, pulsating finish from Captain Peacock and Serosevsky.

Bit More, The Overflow, the keen going Francky Du Berlais and Serosevsky led over the first, with Dollnamix jumping out to his right over the first.

Francky Du Berlais and Bit More had established a 2 to 3 length lead approaching the second, the first in the home straight. Here, Dollnamix once again jumped out markedly to his right. Francky Du Berlais had established a 5 length lead passing the enclosures and heading to the back straight, where Bit More was taken to the right of the field and pulled up by jockey Robert Dunne, himself looking downwards as if the tack had broken or the saddle had slipped on the mare.

Serosevsky went 2nd over the fifth, with Twentyoneblackjack hanging badly after the hurdle and beginning to tail off. Jumping four out Captain Peacock made progress through the field as The Overflow went around the field to try and begin a move.

Entering the home straight and swinging off the top bend Francky Du Berlais had a 3 length break on the field. Jumping 3 out this was markedly reduced as both Serosevsky and Captain Peacock knuckled down to challenge him, with Truckers Lodge making a mistake and all but ruining his chances from there on.

At 2 out Serosevsky and Captain Peacock had joined Francky Du Berlais, the former travelling the better out of the trio and seemingly the favourite to take victory. Jumping the last Serosevsky just landed better and got away quicker than his rivals and it looked as though he was on course for victory. However, he found little on the run in to continue his challenge and it petered out with ¾ of a furlong to run as both his rivals got past him and he was relegated to third. Captain Peacock gained a small advantage with half a furlong to run, but Francky Du Berlais wouldn’t give in and challenged all the way to the line, eventually getting up to win by a short head from Captain Peacock, with the 2/1 favourite Serosevsky 2 lengths back in third.

Race 7 – The localparkingsecurity.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Aldrin bounced back from a puzzling run four weeks previously at Newton Abbot when taking the final race of the day, the localparkingsecurity.co.uk Handicap Hurdle.

A starting price of 16/1 reflected on his somewhat lacklustre performance earlier in the month, but he put that behind him on the day to score for trainer David Pipe, jockey Tom Scudamore and owners the Value Racing Club.

Vanderbilt, Boychick, Excellent Team and Way Out West led at the first. Vanderbilt was very untidy at it, and jockey Theo Gillard did very well to sit tight on the 4 year old and avoid becoming an early casualty. He was much better and fluent at the second, before heading past the enclosurres with a lead of approximately 2 lengths going into the city bend.

At the third the lead was reduced to just half a length, excellent team and Way out West joining him. At the fourth Sporty Yankee was quickly tailing off. Top Decision was also pulled up before rounding the home turn, something clearly amiss with her.

Aldrin had made steady progress around the field and around the home turn, emerging in fifth place and taking aim at the leaders in front. Over 3 out Vanderbilt and Excellent Team led over it, the latter beginning to get away heading towards the second last as Vanderbilt’s effort petered out.

Over 2 out Excellent Team was narrowly in front of Aldrin, who was a little untidy over it in second. Marrettimo and Boychick also came after them heading down towards the final flight. Over the last Excellent Team was still in front by a length from Aldrin and his rivals, who included a somewhat rallying Vanderbilt over it but whose effort faded on the run in.

Aldrin grabbed Excellent Team in the final furlong and scored by 1 ¾ lengths in what was a well timed run from jockey Tom Scudamore, who in the process gained another win at the course for the owners, who have a habit of taking the final race of the day, as they did with Settimo Milanese on September 2nd.

Thanks as always to Katherine at Worcester for the opportunity, for which we are extremely grateful for. Finally, here are some more images from the day at Worcester.