Skybet Chase Day - Full Report
Top weight was not enough to stop OK Corral from producing a power packed and tenacious finish to land the Sky Bet Chase under Mr Derek O’Connor for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner J.P.McManus.
Winless since the pair teamed up to victory in the Hampton Novices Chase at Warwick last season, the 9/1 chance made steady, stealthy progress at the business end of the three mile trip to score by half a length from Fingerontheswitch, who was racing off 10-5 with jockey Miss Millie Wonnacott taking a further 7lbs off his original 10-12 weight.
Monbeg River, Ravenhill Road and Dingo Dollar led at flagfall, starting well out of sight of the assembled crowd at Doncaster, and headed on the run down towards the first fence.
No serious blemishes were noted during the first mile of the race, save for Cobra De Mai and Azzerti, who both had to be ridden along to maintain position and pick their ideas up slightly by their respective jockeys.
Monbeg River was asked for a big leap at the ditch, the tenth fence of the race, and gave a good one, while the same couldn’t be said for Looksnowtlikebrian, who barely lifted a leg and ploughed through it, leaving jockey James Bowen prostrate across it and both feet out of the irons. He managed to get back aboard, but his race was over from that point and was pulled up not long after.
At 6 out Derek O’Connor was cruising in mid division, sitting comfortably on the rail while others such as Calipto, Quarenta and Solomon Grey were being ridden to maintain their position. At 5 out at least 10 had chances as they went over it, but Monbeg River’s chance took a hit as he blundered at the cross fence. Good Man Pat came under a drive, as did Burbank, Jeremiah McGrath getting more serious aboard him.
At 4 out Ravenhill Road flew it and landed a length up on Dingo Dollar and Fingerontheswitch, who had crept into contention under Millie Wonnacott and took dead aim at the leader. Another bad blunder from Monbeg River ended his chances, jockey Sean Quinlan bouncing in the saddle on landing, and the same error was made by Chidswell, his jockey Brian Hughes bouncing aboard the 11 year old and dropping back.
At 3 out Fingerontheswitch went to the lead, but in behind OK Corral went from sixth to third over the fence and began to grind away up the inside to join the leader as Ravenhill Road dropped back. The two up ahead jumped the penultimate fence as one and quickly put 7 lengths between them and the third place Dingo Dollar, who had gone past Ravenhill Road as he floundered between the final two fences. There was nothing in it as they jumped the last as a mirror image of one another, and set it out to slug it out like two twelfth round boxers. All the way up the run in it was hard, tenacious, grinding and gutsy work, but OK Corral just pulled enough out under his talented and willing partner, and lasted home to win by half a length. The pair had pulled 14 lengths clear from Chidswell, who miraculously had stayed on into third after his blunder up the home straight, with Ravenhill Road finding enough to overhaul Dingo Dollar into fourth.
Post race, William Hill reduced the price of the winner from 20/1 to 16/1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Festival in March, while Bet365 have him at 12/1, vying for favouritism with The Conditional and Pym.
Mister Fisher made it two wins from 3 starts over fences with a determined effort to take the Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Owlerton Lightning Novices Chase for trainer Nicky Henderson and Jockey James Bowen.
Sent off the 6/5F, the six year old stayed on tenaciously to repel the efforts of Al Dancer and Lisp, and scoring by a length for delighted owners James & Jean Potter.
Lisp took the field along at flagfall to the first, with Sam Twiston-Davies putting Al Dancer on the outside to get a better look at his fences. Mister Fisher was tucked away on the inside, with Le Patriote happy to be settled at the rear on his introduction to chasing.
A decent pace was set, the Chestnut Lisp pricking his ears and clearly enjoying himself as the field went over the first 3 fences. At the ditch Le Patriote left his trailing legs in the fence and made an error, the first of the contest. Another sloppy leap at the fifth saw him niggled along by Charlie Hammondas the field entered the halfway stage and began the long sweeping bend to home.
Lisp has to reach for the final ditch after standing a mile off it, winging the fence, but not losing any momentum. Swinging in Le Patriote had moved ahead of Mister Fisher as the field went to 4 out. At 3 out it was 3 in a line, and that became 4 at 2 out as James Bowen pulled Mister Fisher out to the outside.
He took up the lead going over the last, the trio pulling away from Le Patriote in between the last two. Al Dancer stuck to the task and grimly made it a battle to the line, but Mister Fisher was always pulling out more and scored by a length, with Al Dancer second, and Lisp third a further 3 and a half lengths behind.
Ramses De Teillee caused a minor upset of sorts when taking the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices Hurdle in clinical fashion under a power packed finish from Tom Scudamore for trainer David Pipe and owners John White & Anne Underhill.
Sent off at 6/1, the gelding, who is more renowned for his role as a classy staying chaser, showcased his stamina to huge effect to score by 17 lengths going away from the Fergal O’Brien trained Champagne Well, who faded after the last just like he did at Cheltenham over the same trip the month previously.
Ramses De Teillee was sent straight into the lead by Tom Scudamore on the long run to the first hurdle, Thomas Macdonagh jumping it in second ahead of recent Chepstow scorer Eva’s Oskar, with Boss Man Fred and Champagne Well happy to sit in rear and watch proceeding up front, though at flight two the former had moved up to take a closer order on the front trio.
The leader bowler along enthusiastically, flying the fourth, the last in a circuits time, and clearly enjoying himself up ahead. As the field swung into the country for a full circuit of Town Moor, there had been no serious blemishes from the field, and all covered by no more than 4 lengths.
Going down the side Boss Man Fred’s jumping became sloppy, and more than once he was ridden away from his hurdles by Bridget Skelton. As the field came around the long, sweeping dogleg turn, Ramses De Teillee and Thomas Mcdonagh upped the tempo and went 5 lengths ahead of Eva’ Oskar, Boss Man Fred and Champagne Well, the latter duo being ridden along to keep up with the pace. Boss Man Fred was soon beaten off and began to severely struggle.
As the field were about to swing into the straight, it looked like Thomas Macdonagh was going to be the biggest threat to the leader, but as the field swung into the home straight, he was soon on the back foot and under pressure from his jockey Page Fuller, who went resorting to a crack of the whip received little response, and before 3 out he had not just lost second to the rallying Champagne Well, but also third to Eva’s Oskar.
Over 3 out Ramses De Teillee was slick yet again, with Champagne Well coming hard at him to challenge. Eva’s Oskar was a never nearer third, and the front two began to pull right away from their opposition heading to two out. At it there were no blemishes, but Ramses De Teillee did drift afterwards towards the near side to slightly impede Champagne Well, and at the last there was nothing in it. However, on the run in Champagne well’s petrol tank went to empty and his challenge faded away, while the opposite was true for the leader, who powered clear under a power packed Tom Scudamore to take victory by a whopping 17 lengths. Champagne Well was second, with Eva’s Oskar in third, Boss Man Fred taking fourth ahead of a leg-leaden Thomas Macdonagh.
Coming back into the parade ring Paddy Brennan, rider of the runner up, made note that he should be kept to 2m 4f for the time being, so it can be expected that he will turn up in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival in March, while the winner will be a lively outsider for the Albert Bartlett, and can be backed at 16/1 for that contest.
After the race, the stewards were kept busy by the events of the contest. They considered interference approaching the last flight when Ramses De Teillee had bumped into the runner up Champagne Well. Tom Scudamore was cautioned ultimately for careless riding, as the stewards had determined that he had allowed his mount to come off a line and take his rival off their intended line towards the last.
In addition to this, Dan Skelton’s representative was interviewed on the performance of the second favourite Boss Man Fred, who had finished over a distance behind the winner. Whilst the representative could offer no explanation for the gelding’s run, the Veterinary Officer present stated that whilst an examination of the horse after the race did not reveal anything to be physically wrong with him, the horse had lost it’s left fore shoe.
Page Fuller, who rode the Jamie Snowden-trained Thomas Macdonagh, who finished last, reported that her mount had hung left handed throughout the race.
The Queen of the North Lady Buttons will always be cheered wherever she turns up in the north, and it was the biggest roar of the day when she took the Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Owlerton Sheffield Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle in authoritative fashion for trainer Philip Kirby, owner Mrs Jayne Sivills and jockey Sean Quinlan.
Waited with until after the last, she pounced on the outside to score by 2 ¾ lengths to Irish Roe, though it wasn’t without a word and action afterwards from the stewards.
Timetochill was sent to an early 4 length lead by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, Fleur Irlandaise bringing up the rear as the field went to head out for a full circuit of Town Moor.
Down the side there was no change in the order and no serious blemishes, all jumping well and travelling nicely. James Bowen gave a quick glance on Floressa to see where Lady Buttons was In behind as the field swung in and 3 flights left to jump.
First under pressure was Irish Roe over the third last. Over 2 out Timetochill was sent on by her jockey and the race turned into a sprint, Fleur Islandaise and Litterale Ci came under pressure after finding things a bit tough. Over the last hurdle there were 4 in a line as Irish Roe joined Timetochill, Lady Buttons and Floressa over the last. Lady Buttons was still tanking along under Sean Quinlan, and at the one furlong marker she was sent on by her jockey and quickly put 3 lengths on her rivals, crossing over to the nearside rail in the process. She stayed on stoutly to win by 2 ¾ lengths to a rapturous applause from the attendees, both inside and outside the parade ring. Irish Roe came home second, with Floressa third and Timetochill in fourth, with Fleur Irlandaise in fifth and Litterale Ci coming home a well beaten last.
After the race the stewards did hold an enquiry into possible interference after the last when Lady Buttons had crossed over to the inside rail across her 3 other rivals at the last. The stewards decided whilst not to change the outcome of the race, but that Sean Quinlan was guilty of careless riding for allowing his mount to drift towards the rail when not sufficiently clear. This caused Floressa to be checked of her run and carry herself into Irish Roe, who was then found short of room and gave a bump to Timetochill. For this offence Sean was banned for 4 days, from the 9-12 February inclusive, a sour taste and a sting in the tail to such a popular victory on Town Moor.
The raceday began with the Alan Wood Plumbing And Heating Handicap Hurdle, a highly competitive affair which went to the Neil Mulholland trained Bootlegger, which was ridden by conditional Harry Reed for owners The Risk Takers Partnership.
A 12/1 chance, he made the better leap at the last to defeat Meteorite by 5 lengths in a strongly run affair.
Before the race began Ferrobin decided to vault the rail separating the parade ring and the course, unseating Bridget Skelton and bolting to the start riderless. Shortly after he was caught the vets took the decision to withdraw the horse from the race.
At flagfall Golden Jeffrey was ridden by jockey Tom Scudamore to take up the running, while Mystic Court was very keen, making the steering for Luca Morgan very tricky as the field went on towards the first. A sketchy jump from both horses on the outside of Twin Star was the only noticeable moment over the first. Golden Jeffrey attacked the second while Mystic Court still took a keen hold. Just Call Me Al was content at the back as the field went out with a circuit to go.
Going down the side Dontcounturchikens was struggling, and shortly after the fifth was pulled up by jockey Brian Hughes. Going round the top bend Bulls Head was struggling at the rear as the field went past halfway, while Western Rules took up the running as the field swung round the bend to line up into the straight. Early leader Golden Jeffrey dropped back, as Bootlegger, Just Call Me Al and Meteorite came up to challenge for the lead, while further back Midnight Moss began to make progress under Paddy Brennan.
Meteorite jumped 3 out with a slender lead to Just Call Me Al and Bootlegger, with Western Rules being ridden along in there pitching. A sprint developed to two out, where Western Rules belted the hurdle and checked his momentum, while Bootlegger went to the centre of the course, drifting around as he joined the leader after the penultimate flight.
He got the better leap at the last, where Meteorite got in close and started to fade away in the final furlong. Bootlegger needed to be ridden out during the final 150 yards as he very nearly pulled himself up, but had already done enough and scored by 5 lengths to Meteorite, who held on for second from Midnight Moss, who had drifted to the far rail after the last but stayed on well.
An hour and 10 mins earlier, she had been on the deck and her intended mount had been withdrawn after bolting to the start and unshipping her. That mishap was quickly forgotten by Bridget Skelton as she gave a superb ride to Very First Time to win the Sky Bet “Britain’s Most Popular Online Bookmaker” Handicap Chase for her brother in law and trainer Dan Skelton for owners The Cant Say No Partnership.
A 5/1 chance before the off, the eight year old made stealthy and steady progress in the latter stages of the contest to score by 6 lengths, and make amends for his jockey’s bad luck 70 mins earlier, in a sport that has many highs and lows, often right next to each other.
Tanarpino set a furious pace under Sean Quinlan on the long run to the first, the field starting at the beginning of the long, sweeping bend. Agamemmon was awkward over the first, while at the first ditch Lygon Rock was untidy, and had to be ridden away by Paddy Brennan.
Mahlermade flew the first in the straight and took 2 lengths out of his opponent Tanarpino, who was ponderous somewhat, but had regained his position halfway down the straight. Lygon Rock took a chance at the water, as Mahlermade was somewhat precarious over it, not getting very high.
Very First Time was shaken up after jumping the next open ditch, Bridget Skelton shaing the reins at him as the field went towards the long bend around and over Rose Hill. At the next, instead of being too low, Lygon Rock was too high, giving it plenty of air. Halloween Harry was pulled up with 7 to jump, having quickly lost his position and rapidly beginning to tail off at the proceeding fence, his stride shortening and weakening.
Lygon Rock was again ungainly at 7 out, while Very First Time was being encouraged to make a move with Elkstone. The latter went onto third as the field swung round the bend and into the straight to 3 out.
Tanarpino grabbed a clear lead approaching 2 out and looked to have shrugged off Mahlermade, Elkstone now starting to find things tougher at the business end. The eye was drawn to Bridget Skelton aboard Very First Time, who was staying on on the outside and beginning to mount a challenge.
The leader was swamped after 2 out by Very First Time, and Mahlermade, who was refusing to give in and rallied for pressure. Tanarpino once again shrugged off that rival, but had no response to Very First Time, who went 2 lengths up at the last and simply kept on galloping to the line to score by six lengths. Agammemon won the battle for third, Mahlermade fading after the last to just keep fourth ahead of Elkstone and Shanty Alley.
The final race of the day was the British European Breeders Fund (EBF) Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Qualifier), and was won in good style by the Jeremy Scott trained Bellevarde Express for jockey Matt Griffiths and owners Kit & Matt James.
A 14/1 chance after being seventh in two previous bumpers, the former being a Listed contest at Cheltenham where they were 14 lengths behind the promising Israel Champ, she was kept towards the front by her jockey before pouncing with two furlongs to run and keeping on in the conditions to score quite cosily in the end, and in due course providing another success for her sire Shirocco, who currently resides at Glenview Stud in Ireland.
