Betway Chase Day, Kempton Park Racing - Saturday 22nd February 2020 - Full Report

Solo a class of one in Adonis annihilation

Solo by name, Solo by nature. Another potential superstar of National Hunt Racing was unearthed at Kempton Park on Saturday as the colt Solo was imperious for trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden as he took the Grade 2 Weatherbys “Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide” Adonis Juvenile Hurdle, and in doing so provided another big Saturday winner for owners Mr & Mrs Johnny De La Hey.

Adonis was the Greek God of beauty, and this handsome son of Kapgarde was his namesake as he sauntered clear to score by 13 lengths in scintillating fashion, a performance that made him quickly shortened by many bookmakers into favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2 and a half weeks time, despite only making one appearance in the UK since being purchased from the yard of Guillaume Macaire.

On flagfall Fantastic Ms Fox was keenly away, with Solo alongside her as the field went towards the first. The pace was a good, honest one, the field covered by 6 lengths as they swung into the country with a full circuit of the course ahead of them.

Solo took a tug at flight three, where Fantastic Ms Fox dived at the hurdle somewhat. After flight four and swinging into the back Solo was sent on by Harry Cobden, jumping well over the fifth, while Fantastic Ms Fox received a slap down the neck from Leighton Aspell. Waterproof moved to take closer order under Tom Quinlan, while at the rear of the field Vorashann was being niggled along by Joshua Moore to keep tabs on the field.

Daryl Jacob kept the filly Fujimoto Flyer on the inside going down the back, keen to keep a close tabs on their rivals and exploit any gaps heading up the home straight. At the turn after 3 out he was short of room and had to switch off the rail as Fantastic Ms Fox weakened, her early exertions at the head of affairs leaving their mark.

Upon straightening up towards two out Solo was sent on by Cobden and he quickly put 4 lengths on the field, who were headed by Fujimoto Flyer, who had managed to get a run off the rail and went after the leader. It soon appeared however that despite any sort of drama falling upon the leader, it was going to be a vain attempt.

A great leap at the penultimate flight by the son of Kapgarde gave him so much momentum that he afforded his jockey enough time to glance behind heading towards the last, where he saw the rest of the field hard at work and battling on despondently to catch him, while he still appeared to be in second gear. At the last a fine leap left him 7 lengths clear, and to a rapturous applause from the assembled crowd they simply breezed up to score by 13 lengths and make it a fifth Adonis juvenile hurdle for Paul Nicholls.

Bookmakers were suitably and immediately impressed with the performance, with many installing him as the favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2 weeks. It will be interesting to see if the form stacks up in the Boodles ( Fred Winter ) Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the Wednesday of the meeting, with runner-up Fujimoto Flyer, Tremwedge ( third ), Vorashann ( seventh ) and the winner all entered for the penultimate race on Day 2 of The Festival, though it would appear more likely that Solo will go for the Triumph on the Friday after this dominant success.

Post-race, the rider of Tremwedge, Tom Bellamy, and Leighton Aspell, who partnered Fantastic Ms Fox, reported to the stewards that their mounts ran too free in the race, while a post race examination of Waterproof revealed that the horse had bled from the nose.

Regretfully, there was a further post-race update, and it was the news that Royal Dancer, who had fallen at the last when behind, had suffered a fatal injury, and had to be euthanised. Our thoughts go to all connections on their loss.

Song full of praise after Kingwell success

Song For Someone made it an afternoon to remember for trainer Tom Symonds after he took the rearranged Betway Kingwell Hurdle under jockey Aidan Coleman for owners Sir Peter and Lady Gibbings.

Shortened into 11/8F after a second place over 2m 3f to Thomas Darby at Ascot last month and with the race transferred from the lost Wincanton card the weekend previously, he found plenty for pressure after the last when he needed it, and managed to deny Diego Du Charmil on the line by half a length.

Former Grade 1 novice hurdler Quick Grabim took the field along over the first, with Elgin bringing up the rear under Tom Cannon, having been off since July 2018 with injury. No serious issues over the first two, and down the side Song For Someone went alongside the leader approaching the third.

Elgin wasn’t fluent at it and surrendered a length at it, stepping at the hurdle and landing awkwardly. Heading down the back towards the two hurdles down the back Paddy Brennan was turning the screw a little on Quick Grabim. As the tempo lifted at 3 out Elgin very quickly became outpaced and ridden along by Tom Cannon, dropping 7 lengths adrift of the remainder of the field as they all swung out of the back straight and approaching 2 out.

Turning in Ch’Tibello and Diego Du Charmil caught the eye, both making steady progress in behind, while Aidan Coleman was getting to work on Song For Someone as Quick Grabim also came under a drive. Zambella was in behind these four heading down to the penultimate flight. Diego Du Charmil cruised up towards the second last under Harry Cobden and jumped it more fluent than Ch’Tibello on his inside. Zambella was untidy and that knocked her challenge out for the count, while Quick Grabim faded between the last two.

At the last Diego Du Charmil jumped it just ahead of Ch’Tibello, who had been switched by Harry Skelton from the inside to take another crack at the leader. Song For Someone wasn’t fluent at the last and had three lengths to make up on landing and barely a furlong to make it up.

Heading to the rail separating the chase and hurdle courses it looked like Diego Du Charmil was going to prevail and hold off his pursuers, but whilst he had the measure of Ch’Tibello, Aidan and his mount had other ideas, and charged down the outside for one final crack and bite of the cherry, and in the shadow of the winning post their effort was rewarded as he clutched victory from the jaws of defeat, right under the nose of Diego Du Charmil, prevailing by half a length in determined, dogged fashion.

Speaking after the race, trainer Tom Symonds stated he would not be going to Cheltenham, but also that “two and a half miles at Aintree” would be his aim for later in the season.

This potentially sounds like a tilt at the Aintree Hurdle is on the cards, and he could make up into a very decent chaser in time after a performance like the one he showed, when his back was against the wall with defeat staring him in the eyes, and yet he still found a way to pull it out of the fire.

Ponsonby’s Ace Dares to Win the Pendil

Who Dares Wins. The motto of the SAS, and the namesake given to a horse who put in a superb round of jumping to take his greatest prize yet in the Grade 2 Betway Pendil Novices Chase for trainer Alan King and jockey Tom Cannon.

The Henry Ponsonby Racing owned 8 year old has already taken big prizes on the level and over hurdles, the 2019 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and the Grade 2 Summit Juvenile Hurdle of 2015 respectively, and he added this huge prize when breaking his chasing maiden in gritty, determined style to edge out the Paul Nicholls trained Southfield Stone and Bryony Frost by three quarters of a length.

Erick Le rouge and Lizzie Kelly set off at flagfall, but very quickly towards the first Master Tommytucker pulled his way to the lead, Harry Cobden vainly trying to restrain him back a little. All took the first two nicely, though Queen’s Magic was a little awkward at the third and fourth fences.

Swinging into the home straight for the first time the pace had slightly slackened, though Pistol Whipped had pulled his way through to go into second. Queens Magic was again not fluent at the seventh and dropped 5 lengths off the rear going past the stands, but was back on terms heading out into the country.

Up ahead Master Tommytucker was 3 lengths up on Pistol Whipped. At the ditch Master Tommytucker was very good at it, although Queens Magic was tailing off again, having dropped nearly 15 lengths off the pace. Comanche Red went to dispute second over the fence before the last ditch. Southfield Stone hit the ditch a little and wasn’t tidy, while Erick Le Rouge was being ridden along.

A masterful jumping display by the leader came to a crashing end at 4 out in a very similar way to his fall in the Kauto Star on Boxing Day. He chanced at it and dived at the fence, belting it and giving Harry no chance of retaining the partnership. In the process Erick Le Rouge was hampered, though thankfully both horse and jockey were okay.

Swinging in Pistol Whipped and Who Dares Wins were as one, with the latter going on to lead at three out with Southfield Stone, who had been produced by Frost to mount their challenge. Commanche Red was under the cosh on the rail and seemingly plugging on at one pace.

Who Dares Wins and Southfield Stone jumped the last together and set off up the run in to do battle, and it was the former who kept pulling out more for his jockey’s urgings and scored by three quarters of a length, with Commanche Red 10 lengths away in third, Erick Le Rouge back in fourth.

The winner has entries at Cheltenham in the Ultima Handicap, RSA Novices’ and Marsh Novices’ Chase, and most likely seems to be the Ultima, where he is a general 14/1 chance for the 3 mile contest.

Most of the talk post race appeared to be centred on yet another fall for the talented but somewhat frustrating Master Tommytucker, who holds every chance of being a talented, Graded winner over fences, but always appears to do a silly mistake that ends up costing him his chances in a race. He is in great hands however, with a terrific trainer and even better owner in Louise Cabble, so hopefully he can show and fulfil his promise in the future.

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.

Highway to success in Dovecote demolition

It was straight traffic for Highway One O Two as he made every yard of the running to take the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote novices Hurdle under Tom Cannon for trainer Chris Gordon and owner Mr Anthony Ward-Thomas.

Sent off 4/1 after an impressive victory at Plumpton the time before, he maintained a healthy advantage on his pursuers and came home by 5 lengths to West Cork, who was the only horse who got anywhere near him at the end, and in the process made it not just a double for his jockey, but a double of Grade 2 races.

Keenly away over the first two flights, he quickly established a 3 length lead, while over flight two Benson and Calgary Tiger were untidy, the former with a more noticeable and significant error, bumping jockey Sam Twiston-Davies up off the saddle, but remaining the partnership.

Kid Commando had moved alongside the leader at flight three, with winning pointer Garry Clermont settled at the head of the remainders. Benson once again made an error at the fourth, his jumping not up to scratch. He received reminders and was scrubbed along after the fifth, while up ahead the leader was quick at the sixth as the pace lifted before the turn towards home.

Around the bend Bathsheba Bay was first off the bridle from the sextet that had gone ahead of Benson, Faire Past Sivola and Calgary Tiger, those three finding this much too hot for them. Buzz was now shimmied along by Nico De Boinville and seemingly finding nothing. Straightening up for home and the leader was sent on again by Tom Cannon, with Garry Clermont in behind alongside Kid Commando and West Cork all posing as the remaining challengers.

At 2 out it was still Highway One O Two keeping up his remorseless gallop, and between the final two flights it was clear that only West Cork had any hope of bridging the gap and foiling his attempts to make all. Despite getting in close at the last, Highway One O Two was 4 lengths up on landing and carried on galloping in gutsy fashion to score by 5 lengths to West Cork, who kept on valiantly in second, with Kid Commando. Buzz got home for fourth, with Garry Clermont in fifth.

Post race, Chester Williams reported to the stewards that his mount Faire Part Sivola hung lefted throughout the race. It was also noted that after the meeting that trainer Chris Gordon mentioned that the winner would not be taking up his entry in the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March and would be waiting for Aintree, in which one can assume his target will be the Top Novices over the minimum trip.

Rest of the action

The meeting began with the Betway Handicap Hurdle, a competitive affair that went the way of the Nicky Henderson trained Downtown Getaway, who scored as the 7/2F under Nico De Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson and owners T.F.P.

Winless since he took a Class 3 novice hurdle at Ascot in January 2019, he fought back against the Jonjo O’Neill trained Palmers Hill, who like the winner is an expensive ex-Irish recruit to the British jumping game, prevailing by a neck from his determined opponent.

Setting off towards the first of 10 flight Downtown Getaway, Howling Milan, Misty Bloom and Storm Arising were towards the front of the field at a somewhat casual pace, not as furious as expected.

No real errors were reported as the field went past the stands with a circuit to go. After the sixth Kuiper Belt was niggled along by Jack Tudor, while as the field passed through their departure point all runners and riders were intact. Kuiper Belt and Roseriver Has were beginning to lose touch, while at 3 out Eclat Des Mottes was being ridden along by Jonathan Burke and not picking up for his urgings.

Swinging in a whole cluster of horses had a chance, with Palmers Hill making eye catching progress under Jonjo O’Neill Jr. At 2 out it was still Downtown Getaway, with Palmers Hill moving up to challenge him, with Our Power pitching in behind. Palmers Hill was more fluent than the leader at the last, and both knuckled down to slug it out on the run in.

Palmers Hill served it up to the long term leader, and edged ahead as they got to the rail separating the chase and hurdle courses, but the lack of a run for over 500 days told close home as he just ran out of petrol and Downtown Getaway stayed on the better to nab a victory by a neck from Palmers Hill, with Our Power back in third, while Polish flew home for Fergal O’Brien to grab fourth.

Both the winner and runner up have entries in the Coral Cup and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival, and the runner up can be backed at a general 33/1 for the Coral Cup at 33/1 with the sponsor. Downtown Getway is a 20/1 chance with the sponsor, while both are a general 14/1 and 16/1 respectively for the curtain closer of the Festival.

The “Heed Your Hunch” at Betway Handicap Chase was the penultimate race on the card, and it was one that signalled a treble for jockey Tom Cannon as he steered the Trevor Hemmings owned Mystical Clouds to their first victory over fences for trainer Alan King.

The grey gelding, typical of his sire Cloudings, was held up towards the rear for most of the 2 and a half mile trip before being produced at 2 out to take up the running and deliver a challenge that saw him score by 3-quarters of a length to the rallying Aintree My Dream.

Favourite backers would have been disappointed at two out as their hope Keep Wondering, who was sent off 11/4F, was inconvenienced by the fall of Templepark and unshipped his jockey David Crosse, who lost a valiant battle with gravity a few strides after being hampered and was out the side door.

It left Mystical Clouds in front by 2 lengths at the last, and whilst Aintree My Dream tried gallantly to close in, the bird had flown and was doing just enough to defeat his opponent. These two were 10 legths ahead of Favorito Buck’s, a further 4 back to Echiquer,

The final race of the card was the Betway Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, and it was impressively won by the Harry Fry trained Boothill under Jonathan Burke at odds of 5/1.

Scoring for owners Brian and Sandy Lambert, the £125,000 purchase at the Cheltenham November Sale earlier this season was meant to be ridden by Sean Bowen, but during his unseat in the Betway Handicap Chase an hour previously he had broken his collarbone, meaning he was stood down for the rest of the meeting and also the Cheltenham Festival.

Steadily help up in touch of the leaders, he breezed into the lead with three furlongs to run, travelling powerfully and keeping on to win by just over 4 lengths to Bothwell Bridge and debutant Valleres.