Mister makes Malarkey of recent form in Betway Chase Triumph

It was a case of another Saturday, another big winner for Jonjo O’Neill Jr as he guided Mister Malarkey right back to form with a determined victory in the Betway Handicap Chase for trainer Colin Tizzard and owners Wendy & Malcolm Hezel.

A 9/1 chance at the off, he was steadily brought into contention over the first circuit to score by 2 lengths to the game and admirable Black Corton, and in the process scored his first success since the Grade 2 Reynoldstown of last season.

Setting off on the 3 mile journey with two circuits of the course ahead of them, Dashing Perk and Nico De Boinville scrapped for the lead with Talkischeap, winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last April. Just in behind were Crievehill and Double Shuffle, though not too far away and somewhat battling for the lead as well.

At the second, the first of four open ditches, Dashing Perk stood a mile off it, winging it and still landing with the lead in an impressive leap. Between fences three and four Mister Malarkey was briefly niggled along to keep his place, and received reminders to pick his jumping up having been a slight bit sloppy over the first few.

At fence six Just A Sting made an error and unshipped Sean Bowen, who had absolutely no chance of staying on and maintaining the partnership. Asked for a big leap, he was too low at the fence and couldn’t get the landing gear out in time, the jolt sending his rider forward and out the front door.

At the end of the first circuit Mister Malarkey and Talkischeap had joined Dashing Perk at the front of the field, and the former went on to force the issue alongside the early leader. At the fourteen Dashing Perk gave another great leap at the ditch, but at the fifteenth he hit it slightly and going round the bend for home he emptied very quickly and was swiftly pulled up by Nico De Boinville.

Swinging in Mister Malarkey was two lengths ahead of Sametegal, Adrien Du Pont, Black Corton and Romain De Senam, the Paul Nicholls trained quartet joined by Whatmore and Talkischeap, the former making quick progress through the field. At two out he was still 2 lengths up on his rivals and staying on stoutly under his enterprising jockey.

At the last he was still two lengths up, but Black Corton and Bryony Frost were his main danger heading up the run in. Thankfully for his backers he was up to the fight, and kept the distance between him and his rivals to hold off their challenges.

Post race, Colin Tizzard was interviewed about the geldings performance, having finished sixth in the Ladbrokes Trophy in November, but being pulled up on his latest outing. The explanation given was that he had benefitted from the improved ground of Good to soft, soft in places.