Monsieur shows his class in Welsh Champion Hurdle triumph
Monsieur Lecog continued a fine series of progression he began last season when taking the Low Cost Vans Welsh Champion Hurdle, though it was only after he had survived a lengthy stewards enquiry post-race for possible interference with the runner-up Le Prezien.
Monsieur Lecoq and Chester Williams jump the last ahead of Le Prezien and Colonel Custard
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Always travelling well for jockey Chester Williams, the 7/2 shot and his supporters had to wait 15 long, tense minutes before the result was official and he had been confirmed the winner.
Clyne took the field along with former County Hurdle winner Mohaayed, with Coole Cody going on to take up front running proceedings towards the second flight, where he slipped a little on landing, but not a serious error. Man Of Plenty was a few lengths back under Connor Brace going out past the grandstand and into the back straight, where he stepped at the third hurdle, the first down the back.
The Donald McCain trained Chti Balko got a reminder from jockey Will Kennedy at the middle down the back, while Mohaayed was also feeling the pinch under Bridget Andrews and started to drop back. Clyne was also still being nudged along going around the far turn and approaching the home straight, indicating that there were no hiding places for anyone feeling the strain of such a competitive contest.
Turning in for home and over 3 out it was a case of 4 in a line, with from left to right Colonel Custard, Beltor, Monsieur Lecoq and Coole Cody jumping it as one, with Le Prezien only a length behind with Chti Balko, Coeur Blimey and Clyne a few lengths behind him. Monsieur Lecoq was absolutely cruising down towards 2 out, with only Colonel Custard and Le Prezien for company approaching it as the rest had been well and truly beaten off.
He wasn’t fluent at the penultimate hurdle however, which left the door open for Le Prezien and Colonel Custard to have a crack at him. He got the leap he needed at the last, but Le Prezien would not give in the towel and rallied alongside him to slug it out in the stamina sapping conditions to the line. Barry Geraghty had the eight year old poised to strike a knockout blow, but his rival was just doing enough to keep the positions as they were under a right hand drive from his jockey.
With two or three strides to go to the line it looked like he may get collared, but Le Prezien came up short by a short head to ensure for trainer Nick Williams that the race would be going back with them to South Molton.
However, a few moments later it was announced that the stewards were looking into potential interference between the winner and runner up, and after 15 long minutes it was announced over the PA that the result would remain unaltered. A potential trip to the Greatwood Hurdle may be on the cards for the winner, or they may decide to take him over the larger obstacles for his next run. Whatever they decide to do, he does have age on his side, and can only get better with it, so it may well be that the sky really is the limit for the son of Diamond Boy and Draga.
Monsieur Lecoq and Chester Williams jump the last ahead of Le Prezien and Colonel Custard
Photo: ©Tom Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Rest Of The Action
Aside from the Welsh Champion Hurdle, there was another major race on the card at Ffos Las, and that one was the inaugural running of the Norton’s Coin Cup Novices Chase, which commemorates the locally trained winner of the 1990 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and one who came in at odds of 100/1. Thankfully the winner of this contest was one at much more comfortable odds, and that came in the form of the David Pipe trained Poker Play, who took the trophy to Pond House after a confident ride from Tom Scudamore for owners The Angrove Family.
Poker Play and Tom Scudamore jump the last fence ahead of Sensulano and Paddy Brennan
Photo: ©Tom Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Triumphing at 3/1 for delighted connections, he was returning to form after somewhat disappointing on his final start last season at Aintree’s Grand National meeting when only beating two rivals home.
Poker Play and Lamanver Pippin were together over the first, Tidal Flow going up the shortest route on the inside. Over the second Sensulano was a bit squiffy over it, the only real significant error over on the back straight.
At the fourth Dr Sanderson was very untidy and off balance on landing, Barry Geraghty doing well to sit tight. The two leaders were great again at the fifth, and at the last with a circuit to go all of the field jumped it with a good enough leap to remain in the contest.
Momella was given a few nudges by jockey Sean Bowen to pick her ideas up going down the back, the jockey perhaps thinking she needed to improve her technique at a few of the obstacles. Sensulano also received a few nudges at the ditch from Paddy Brennan. At the penultimate fence down the back both Momella and Dr Sanderson began to detach from the main body of the field, both struggling badly around the home turn before being pulled up.
Entering the home straight Poker Playa and Lamanver Pippin both pressed on, but both made slow and error filled jumps, allowing the remaining trio behind to bunch up. Poker Play produced a better leap at 2 out as Lemanver Pippin again blundered his way over it. Tidal Flow began to bring a challenge but was slow as Sensulano came through with a run.
At the last Poker Play produced a fine leap as Sensulano went out to his right and Lemanver Pippin blundered again, striding on powerfully to score by seven lengths and relishing the soft conditions. Sensulano was second, with Tidal Flow staying on for third, Lemanver Pippin holding fourth from Secret Reprieve, who was staying on and doing his best work at the end.
Poker Play and Tom Scudamore jump the last fence to win the Norton's Coin Novices Chase
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Usually being off the track for 581 days and a 17 race maiden isn’t a confident sign for any punter, but the 11/4JF price may have signalled someone’s luck was about to change. And it surely did for Special Princess as she took the opener on Welsh Champion Hurdle Day, the “By Order of Cotts Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle” under Adam Wedge for trainer Rebecca Curtis.
Special Princess and Adam Wedge jump the last hurdle to take the opener
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Alanjou took the field along at flagfall in what was a very sedate pace, but wise given the ground conditions of soft, heavy in places. All was well at the first, and at the second Definitely Vinnie jumped two places up with a great leap, showing early exuberance for the task ahead.
Rosserk Abbey went on as the field left the back straight and around the far bend, shuffling the early lead Alanjou back to second. A few solid jumps and not much change in contention as the field went past the grandstand with a circuit to go.
At the eighth obstacle Rosserk Abbey saw a stride and put in a fine leap to take a further length out of their rivals. The same couldn’t be said for General Malarkey however, who made an error and had to receive a reminder from jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr.
Definitely Vinnie was next to receive reminders, this time at the 9th in a bid from jockey Lorcan Williams to get him to concentrate on the task at hand. Solongg was also untidy at the hurdle, forcing James Bowen to sit tight to maintain the partnership.
Around the home turn Special Princess made eye catching progress under Adam Wedge to join Rosserk Abbey at the third last, where they jumped it with more fluency than the long term leader and quickly strode on, cruising very nicely towards 2 out. Whilst she had breezed into the lead looking well held, she was completely the opposite at 2 out, not making any sort of effort to take off.
Special Princess and Adam Wedge streak clear from the field in the opener
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
However, once shaken up she picked her ideas up and jumped the last much better than the previous flight and only needed to be kept up to her work to score by 3 ¼ lengths from Rosserk Abbey in second, Dr Time in third, while Definitely Vinnie took fourth.
Vienna Court made an improvement on the bare form over bumpers when scoring on hurdles debut for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and jockey Tom Bellamy in the Ministry Graphics Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Rosie And Millie jumps the last ahead of eventual winner Vienna Court
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Produced at the last having travelled well throughout, she reeled in Rosie And Millie on the run in to score by ½ a length in stamina sapping conditions.
Patriciadplasterer took the field along at flagfall, and was given an easy 3 length lead by the field, who were very keen to allow her to go at her own pace given the conditions. All were fluent over the first two flights and went out onto their full circuit of the course all running well within themselves.
Lunar Baby was not fluent at the third, and was rousted along by jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr away from it, but was awkward and untidy at the next. Again at the fourth was not fluent, and again at the fifth, which by this point the jockey decided to issue a reminder or two.
Coming around the home bend Rosie And Millie made smooth progress to join the leader and make keen notice of herself as the field swung into the straight. Soon enough her, Rarest Diamond, Vienna Court and Whitehotchilllifili were all travelling nicely approaching the last two. These had broken away from the field and it was now a race between them.
At the last Rosie And Millie was ungainly and out to her right, which left the door open for Vienna Court to make a sustained effort to knuckle down and fight out the finish, these two breaking away and finishing the better. It was the latter who prevailed in determined fashion from a dogged runner up, clearly relishing the ground conditions that many others found troublesome.
Vienna Court and Tom Bellamy jump the last on her way to victory
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
King Alfonso is producing some great form at present, and followed up a recent win at Worcester over hurdles with victory in the Phil Bessant Accountants Claiming Chase under Ben Jones for trainer Dai Burchell and owner Mrs G Davies.
King Alfonso and Ben Jones head to the start of the Claiming Chase
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Sent off the 6/4F after that success at Worcester, he made his move around the home bend and kept up the gallop to score by 7 lengths in the hands of his capable young jockey.
The veteran of the quartet, the 14 year old Spock, took the field along at flagfall and established a welcome 5 length lead on their 3 rivals, with Candy Burg, King Alfonso and Ennistown all jumping the fence well.
Candy Burg made a bit of a mess of the third, ploughing through it and sending the birch flying. The ditch was avoided on all chase races due to false ground, so over the next two plain fences the order didn’t change and the pace was relatively the same.
Spock came back to the field going down the back and saw a good stride at the first down the back, while the same couldn’t be said for Candy Burg, who made a hash of it. At the penultimate down the back Ennistown was given a shake up by Rex Dingle, as until that point despite an awkward head carriage he had been travelling well within himself.
Upon departing the far bend and entering the home straight Spock was the first to crack, his rivals all going past him with ease as the race hotted up. King Alfonso jumped to the lead at 3 out, with Candy Burg making yet another mistake and surrendering a length. Ennistown was also starting to receive more urgent messages from Rex Dingle, the jockey giving him a few slaps down the shoulder to try and keep on the coat-tails of his opponents in front.
An enormous leap from the leader took another 2 lengths out of his opponents, and he quickly galloped on towards the last, while Ennistown had taken second but was still displaying a rather peculiar head carriage. Another immaculate leap at the last secured the victory, and was eased down to win by a good 7 lengths from Ennistown, still displaying an awkward head carriage, Candy Burg, whose errors cost him dearly, and the 14 year old Spock, who came home at his own leisure.
Claiming Chase winner King Alfonso clears the last in emphatic fashion
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Usually a record of 0/7 over fences and combined figures of 6, 2, 3, 7, 4, 4 and PU, plus a 275 day break isn’t too much to get excited over a horse about, especially when the attitude of said horse is questionable over the larger obstacles. However, not all horses have a master trainer at hand, or a 3/1 starting price with them statistics, and it would appear that Rebecca Curtis has transformed Joueur Bresilien’s fortunes as he stormed away with the Copefield Construction Ltd Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Steeplechase by 12 lengths under Jack Tudor to bring a welcome victory for owners the Inthewayboy Group and a double for the trainer on the day.
Joueur Bresilien flies the last to score impressively in the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Steeplechase
Photo: ©Tom Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Having shown a questionable attitude over obstacles since a maiden hurdle win at the course in July 2018, he came through powerfully to claim victory and produce a performance that seemed to say that he was of higher order than the Class 4 contest he was stealing away with.
Smugglers Blues led over the first to Greybougg, and all jumped the first 3 well, albeit the leader was out to his right at 3 of the 4 fences down the back. Swinging around the bend all were running well within themselves.
Smuggler’s Blues was straighter at the fences in the home straight, while at the last with a circuit to go Twasn’t The Plan wasn’t fluent, and a bit clumsy. Alf ‘N’ Dor continued to hold his head pretty high and somewhat missed the first down the back, surrendering a few lengths.
Again and again Smuggler’s Blues continued to jump to his right down the back, losing any sort of advantage he had and made a mess of 5 out, the penultimate down the back. Greybougg faded before 4 out and began to struggle, hard ridden by Tom Buckley.
Turning in Smuggler’s Blues still had the advantage, but he was joined at the usual 4 out by Beni Light and Joueur Bresilien. At 2 out the latter made a superb leap and took a further 3 lengths out of his rivals by setting off the quickest from the fence, going clear as Smuggler’s Blues and Beni Light were joined by Twasn’t The Plan and Alf ‘N’ Dor heading down to the last.
Another incredible leap at the last secured the victory for him, and even though the ground conditions were soft, heavy in places, he scarpered clear to score by 12 lengths to Twasn’t The Plan, who fended off Beni Light for second, with Alf ‘N’Dor fourth. Early leader Smuggler’s Blues faded to be fifth, suggesting his wayward exertions may have also contributed to him fading out of the places having put up such a bold display in front.
Joueur Bresilien on their way to victory in the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Steeplechase
Photo: ©Tom Williams/ JTW Equine Images
The final race of the card was a bumper, the Persimmon Homes Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race. On paper it looked an intriguing contest with a few horses either making their rules debut or having had a promising run last season in a bumper.
Induno and Tom Scudamore takes the Persimmon Homes Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Upon turning for home there was a very good set of challengers cruising into contention, which included Mille Sussurri, Filou Des Issards, Oscar Asche, Gilwen Grayson, Saddler’s Quest and Mario De Pail. However, none were travelling as well as Induno, jockey Tom Scudamore sitting very confidently aboard the 5 year old.
With just over a furlong to go Tom pushed the button and he quickly put the race to bed, skipping away from his rivals despite the prevailing conditions to win very nicely by 3 lengths to Mario De Pail and Mille Sussurri. He looks one to follow, particularly as the rival who beat him at Warwick on his only start, Olly Murphy’s Overthetop, is reportedly above average and potentially out of the top drawer. It may be a trip to Cheltenham for another bumper, whether that be for one of the many bumpers during their winter, or the big one at The Festival in March.
Induno and Tom Scudamore takes the Persimmon Homes Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race
Photo: ©Jack Williams/ JTW Equine Images
Thank you for reading this report on Welsh Champion Hurdle day. We would like to extend a massive thank you to Victoria Hallifax at Ffos Las who arranged the access for us, and all at Ffos Las who made us feel welcome in addition to her. We would very much appreciate the opportunity to return at some point, as it is a fantastic course to visit, and we will hopefully see everyone again soon!
The next article is going to be a bit special. Watch this space!
Regards,
Tom
