Allegorie De Vassy began her season with a win in the T.A. Morris Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase, although she was made to work hard by stable companion Instit.
Sent off the 8-11 favourite, Willie Mullins’ Allegorie De Vassy made a mistake and the first and jumped the second very big before settling into a rhythm.
In the meantime Danny Mullins had Instit travelling well in front and and the pair were out to repeat their victory over their better-fancied stable companion at Fairyhouse in April.
Paul Townend began to get serious on the market leader two from home and was all out with a narrow advantage at the last, which she met on a long stride to seal the deal.
She ended up winning by two and a quarter lengths with Henry de Bromhead’s Maskada, winner of the Grand Annual, a little disappointing in fourth.
Townend said: “She ended off last year poorly and couldn’t have started better this year. There’s plenty to work on and I thought the two mares (Allegorie De Vassy and Instit) ran well, and the two will come on for it.
“On the whole, she’s a very good jumper, but for whatever reason she just gave the first a good clout and got careful for a fence or two. She was big after that for a couple but warmed up and when I needed her down the straight, she came through.
“She was beaten by a very good mare at Cheltenham (Impervious) and that probably left a mark for the rest of the season. She’s back now and we’re delighted with her.”
Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy tuned up for what they hope will be a fruitful two days at Down Royal with a double.
Farren Glory, thought good enough to make his hurdling debut in a Grade Two at Fairyhouse last April, put that experience to good use when making all the running in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
He beat fellow 13-8 joint-favourite Irish Panther by almost 10 lengths.
Kennedy said: “He jumped a bit big at a couple but I’m very happy with him overall. He was keen but I think he’ll settle in behind a couple of horses.
“He did plenty with me the whole way around but still picked up well and galloped to the line. He is a lovely horse and I was impressed with him.”
Stuzzikini (9-2) then cruised to success in the Clonmel Oil Service Station Handicap Hurdle, beating Kim Muir winner Angels Dawn by 31 lengths.
“To be honest, I was always happy. I got there plenty soon on him as he can pull up in front but there was nothing to bring me along any further,” said Kennedy.
“I thought he loved that ground and hopefully he can keep going the right way.”
Ben Pauling hailed the achievements of jockey Luca Morgan after the champion conditional announced his retirement from the saddle.
The 22-year-old has long been associated with Pauling’s Naunton Downs operation and enjoyed a stellar 2022-23 season which saw him not only lift the conditional jockeys’ title at Sandown in April, but also partner his sole Listed winner when steering Fiercely Proud to success at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
However, with an injury over the summer only adding to the stresses of Morgan’s career-long battle with the scales, he has now made the decision to hang up his boots and bow out.
“It’s a very sad day for all of us to be honest and Luca has been a huge part of the team for four years,” said Pauling.
“He’s not just been an able jockey who has delivered for us on so many occasions, but he has been a massive part of the team at home and has always been a very popular member and we have always loved watching his successes.
“I personally and everyone at home has taken massive satisfaction from seeing him win the conditional jockeys’ title. It was a dream of his from a young age and it’s a proud moment for all of us that we were able to achieve that with him.”
It is a decision Pauling knew was always around the corner and the handler is now keen to support Morgan in whatever way he can as he embarks on a new career out of the saddle, confident he will continue to thrive away from the racecourse.
He added: “He had an injury in the summer and it has been apparent that he had been struggling and we’ve had many conversations about it. He has really given it his best shot.
“We always knew there would come a time when his weight would get the better of him and I think we all dreamt of having this season and maybe one more.
“My thoughts are primarily with Luca and it is not an easy decision for a young man of his age who has only ever wanted to be a jockey. But he is a very intelligent young man and very quick witted and he will only go from strength to strength in whatever he does next.”
He went on: “We will be there for him in whatever he wants to do and if we can be a part of that going forward, we would be thrilled.
“It’s a sad day, but one we knew was coming at some point and it’s just a shame it has to happen.”
The Cheltenham Festival-winning handler praised Morgan’s “brave decision”, pointing out his talent as a jockey can never be questioned as he bows out at the peak of his riding powers.
“It is exceptionally brave and those of us who have never had to fight with our weight will never understand the stresses that can put on you personally, mentally and physically,” said Pauling.
“So it is a brave decision and it is the right decision and he goes out as champion conditional.
“Everyone can see the ability and talent that he has and he will be remembered for that.
“I’m hugely grateful for the days he has given me, my team, my wife Sophie, who adores him, and our owners. There have been some great times and he will be fondly remembered.”
Editeur Du Gite returns to the handicaps ranks at Exeter where he will attempt to show his class and carry top-weight to victory in the Betway Haldon Gold Cup.
Gary Moore’s nine-year-old has always been a useful operator in the two-mile chasing division but took his form to the next level last season, causing a surprise in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton before shocking again in the rearranged Clarence House Chase on Cheltenham Festival Trials Day.
He downed both Energumene and Edwardstone in the latter of those victories and was sent off a 13-2 chance for the Champion Chase at the Festival in March, finishing fourth before ending his campaign when well held in the Celebration Chase.
He has been freshened up during the summer months following that catalogue of stiff assignments and now returns with the task of conceding over a stone to his rivals.
“He’s a good horse and a very genuine horse who always does his best for you,” said Moore.
“I just hope the ground isn’t too soft down there, that is one thing that won’t help is carrying all that weight in that type of ground.
“The stiff track will suit him, he is just going to have to give a lot of weight away.
“He’s fit enough to go there and do himself justice anyway, we will just have to see if he’s as good as he was.”
Although beginning the season in handicap company, Moore envisages a return to graded action before too long as the Lower Beeding handler plots a route back to the big two-mile chasing contests in the spring.
He added: “That will be the plan as that is the way his handicap mark is heading him now. There’s not a lot else otherwise.
“He fooled me twice last year going right-handed and also going in soft ground, which he had never done before.
“He will need to improve a little bit more, but if he could do what he did last year, that will be good enough for me anyway.”
Paul Nicholls has won this four times in the last 10 years, including with dual victor Greaneteen 12 months ago.
This time it is Solo that is entrusted with upholding Ditcheat’s honour and his rider Harry Cobden is optimistic he can replicate the best of his novice chase form from last season.
He said: “He had one season where he didn’t win anything over fences, but he was quite highly campaigned and then last season he won a nice novice chase at Sandown and then he won the Pendil at Kempton Park.
“His jumping improved no end last season and he was brilliant when I rode him around Kempton. He was very good at Sandown as well, which is a good jumping test.
“I’m not saying he is going there with loads in hand, but Paul historically does well in this race and that is why I think he has got a nice chance.”
The pick of Solo’s form has come over two and a half miles, but Cobden does not envisage any problems dropping back in distance at the Devon venue.
“The trip should suit him as it is a lovely, galloping track so I can’t see that being an issue” he added.
“The ground is going to be fairly testing at Exeter on Friday, but it was fairly soft at Sandown when he won. He has got a good few things going for him.”
Mouse Morris successfully completed a raiding mission in the Charlie Hall Chase last Saturday and looks to repeat the dose with Indiana Jones, who like Gentlemansgame runs in the colours of owners Robcour.
It will be the handler’s first runner at the track and he said: “I had to look on the map to see where it was!
“We decided it was worth a go as it’s a big pot. He probably wants a bit further but it’s a stiff enough track, so he should be all right.
“He would have come on a good bit from the run in Cork, so we’ll see how we go.”
Joe Tizzard’s War Lord finished third in the race last year and returns following wind surgery hoping to go closer, while he is joined in the line-up by stablemate Elixir De Nutz, who was a Tolworth Hurdle winner in his younger years and was beaten only a nose in his previous appearance at this track.
Venetia Williams’ Brave Seasca completes the field of six heading to post.
Adrian Heskin harbours hopes that Magical Zoe is the horse who can kickstart his career back in Ireland ahead of Friday’s Bottlegreen Hurdle at Down Royal.
Heskin has moved back home following the ending of his retainer with owner Max McNeill in the UK and would love a headline horse to propel him back into the big time.
Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Magical Zoe won at this corresponding meeting last year and was then absent until beating all bar Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well at Cheltenham in the Dawn Run.
Magical Zoe has already won this season but faces a tough ask against the geldings – in particular Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point.
“She was very good in Gowran on her reappearance and we’re looking forward to the weekend,” Heskin told Down Royal racecourse.
“I’m very lucky to have her. She’s owned by a couple of good friends of mine in Paddy and Scott Bryceland, so she’s a very important mare to me and all of us.
“We couldn’t have dreamt she’d have done what she’s done so far, but we’re really enjoying having her and really appreciate it.
“She’s massive for me because you need a horse like her to keep your name up in lights, so hopefully she’s able to do so.
“She won first time out, she went to this meeting last year and won the mares’ novice there and then she lost nothing in defeat at Cheltenham finishing second. I think she’s been very well handled by Henry and the team, he’s picked his targets and the majority have worked out well.
“Hopefully she continues to impress us.”
Magical Zoe takes on Irish Point, a Grade One winner at Aintree as a novice last season and Andy Slattery’s Sir Allen.
A total of 12 line up in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle, with Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead set to go off favourite as she tries to maintain her unbeaten record in the Grade Three.
A Plus Tard is “odds against” to bid for a second win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month, according to Cheveley Park Stud director Richard Thompson.
The nine-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Grade One contest in 2021 before going on to lift that season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup in spectacular fashion.
However, a disappointing defence of his Haydock crown set the tone for a lacklustre campaign last term, pulling up on his return to Cheltenham before finishing a well-beaten third at Aintree.
Trainer Henry de Bromhead has again entered A Plus Tard for the Betfair Chase on November 25, but Thompson feels that may be a big ask on his first run back.
He said: “I think it’s odds against he runs at Haydock, but he’ll be out soon I think. I’m told he’s in good form and we’re looking forward to seeing how he runs.
“He’s had a few issues, as everyone knows. I think those are sorted now, hopefully, and he’ll be out soon, but the Betfair Chase may be a bit of a stretch for him as it’s only two weeks away.”
When asked if A Plus Tard could make his comeback at a slightly lower level, Thompson added: “I would have thought that will be the plan more than the Betfair Chase. Henry will make the plan, but I get the flavour that he may go that route.
“There’s no pressure. He’s a Gold Cup winner and a Betfair Chase winner and has given us four Grade Ones – he’s given us some fantastic days.”
Willmount made the perfect start to life over obstacles with an effortless win in the Agetur UK Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
Trained by Neil Mulholland last season to win two bumpers, he moved to Nicky Henderson over the summer and the change of scenery has certainly not done him any harm.
Nico de Boinville found himself in front aboard Oli Harris’ £340,000 purchase after half a mile due to the speed at which his mount was jumping and from then on it was a solo affair.
Only Beny Nahar Road and Onewayortother attempted to keep pace but when De Boinville kicked clear on the turn for home and pinged the third last, the race was over and he cruised to a 13-length success.
“He gave me a lovely feel actually. There wasn’t much pace on so I was happy to just roll away down the back, he pricked his ears nicely and quickened away into the straight,” De Boinville told Racing TV.
“He jumped very nicely, was slick when he needed to be and he could fiddle away as well, which is great.
“He’s very uncomplicated, these pedigrees are showing more and more with their temperament and everything.”
Following in the footsteps of her more celebrated compatriot Julien Alfred, rising St Lucian sprinter Naomi London, has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2024. The Longhorns made the announcement on Instagram and has been independently confirmed by Sportsmax.TV.
London, who is from Vieux-Fort in St Lucia, ran 11.72 to win the silver in the 100m at the 2023 Carifta Games in the Bahamas in April to become her country’s first ever sprint medalist at the Caribbean junior showcase.
She then followed up by running 23.72 in the 200m for her second silver medal of the games.
At Texas, London, who turned 16 in March, will be hoping to emulate the successes achieved by Alfred, who Coach Eldrick Floreal characterized as “the greatest sprinter in NCAA history” after she won the 100m and 200m and leading the Longhorns to an impressive victory in the 4x100m relay to lead Texas to the 2023 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships title for the first time in 18 years.
Aintree will hold an inspection at 9am on Friday on the Grand National course to see if Saturday’s BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase can take place.
While the races on the Mildmay and hurdle course are unaffected, parts of the Grand National course are currently waterlogged.
The £100,000 race is the first time this season the iconic course is scheduled to be in use.
Ground staff are to continue their remedial work throughout Thursday but another band of heavy rain is due on Thursday evening.
Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: “We are soft, heavy in places, on the Mildmay, chase and hurdle courses.
“We’re currently heavy, soft in places, on the Grand National course, with a couple of areas of concern that we are working on through today.
“We hope the remedial work will be done by the end of the day and that the course should be fit for racing, but the fly in the ointment for us is that we potentially have heavy rain tonight.
“Depending on which forecast you look at, it’s anything from 5mm to 10mm or more, so we’re just going to have to see what state we’re in in the morning as to whether we can go ahead with the Grand Sefton, but the rest of the races are not affected.”
The fixture at Fontwell on Friday has already been abandoned.
Reigning Ben Francis champions Glenmuir High had a positive start in the ISSA/WATA daCosta Cup quarterfinals, as they blanked Manchester High 2-0 in a lively Group A encounter at their May Pen base on Wednesday.
Glenmuir, who are contesting the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2017, got their goals four minutes apart through Ja-son Whyte (51st) and Orane Watson (55th), and are now poised for a semi-final berth, provided they see off defending champions Clarendon College and Christiana High in their next two fixtures.
Clarendon College, who are heavily favoured to retain their title, also started positively with a 4-0 beating of Christiana High to grab an early lead in the group. They enjoy a two-goal difference over Glenmuir, heading into Saturday’s second round of games.
At May Pen, Glenmuir came out more purposeful, as Kyle Gordon paraded his nippy footwork in breaking down Manchester defence, while DeAndre Johnson forced a save from Jevanni Bennett with a stinging right-footer from about 20 yards out, in the early exchanges.
In fact, Manchester’s first real show of quality in attack came in the 14th minute when they got in behind Glenmuir’s defence, but were unable to find the go-ahead goal.
Both teams continued to assert their attacking prowess in the probe to break the deadlock. Glenmuir again went close in the 36th when Gordon found Watson at the top of the 18-yard box, but the latter’s effort was kept out by Bennett diving away to his left.
Manchester responded shortly after and it took a tidy save from Antwone Gooden in goal for Glenmuir to deny Michael Reid on the stroke of the break to ensure the score remained goalless.
However, Glenmuir again came out spiritedly on the resumption and inevitable found the breakthrough six minutes in when Whyte’s well-struck freekick from about 30 yards out, beat Bennett all ends up. It was a goal befitting of his first for the season.
And before Manchester could contemplate a comeback, they suffered a second blow when Watson outpaced a defender and drove a right-footed effort past the hapless Bennett for his sixth of the season.
The tempo of the game fell from there and it wasn’t until the later stages of the contest that both teams again showed some life in attack, albeit, failing to capitalise on the opportunities.
Glenmuir’s Head coach Andrew Peart said the win is just what the doctor ordered.
“It is important because we wanted to start the group very well. At the half we weren’t so pleased with the intensity at which we played, we gave Manchester High a little bit too much room, especially in the middle of the field.
“But second half, we got a brilliant goal by Jason Whyte and then it was about pressing high up the field again that led to the second goal. So I am very pleased in terms of the reaction in the second half and in the end, the result,” Peart said in a post-game interview.
His counterpart Patrick Graham believe his team was lacking in parts.
“First, let me congratulate the Glenmuir team. I believe they showed a bit more fight than us, we surrendered some crucial areas on the pitch when they were in possession and it cost us the game.
“The positive is that after going two-nil down, we showed a little bit more fight and more composure and it shows that we can play whenever we decide to play. So, we just have to prepare for the next two games,” Graham noted.
Meanwhile, over in Group two, Garvey Maceo High and Dinthill Technical registered 4-0 and 2-0 victories over BB Coke and Cornwall College respectively. Much like it is in Group A, Garvey Maceo hold a two-goal difference over Dinthill Technical.
Wednesday’s results
Group A
Clarendon College 4, Christiana High 0
Glenmuir High 2, Manchester High 0
Group B
BB Coke 0, Garvey Maceo 4
Dinthill Technical 2, Cornwall College 0
Saturday’s fixtures
Group A
Manchester vs Clarendon College @ Manchester
Christiana vs Glenmuir @ Glenmuir
Group B
Cornwall College vs BB Coke @ Jarrett Park
Dinthill Technical vs Garvey Maceo @ Ewarton Sports Complex
Last year’s beaten finalist Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will take their unbeaten record into the CG United Super50 Cup final, following a convincing six-wicket victory over Guyana Harpy Eagles in a lopsided semi-final encounter at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Wednesday.
Darren Bravo won the toss and sent Harpy Eagles in to bat, a decision which proved fruitful, as Red Force restricted the opponents to a paltry 105 inside 35 overs, and the captain later added an unbeaten 53 to easily surpass the target at 107-4 well inside 30 overs.
Bravo’s patient 70-ball 53, included eight boundaries.
Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 105 all out (34.3 overs); Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 107-4 (27.4 overs)
Despite the many talents in Harpy Eagles’s batting line up, they have really failed to spark throughout the campaign, and this crucial semi-final encounter again served up a dismal display.
With the exception of Sherfane Rutherford (30) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (22), no other batsman got into double figures, as Terrance Hinds ran through the top order, and they never recovered.
The 31-year-old right-arm medium pacer snared 4-15 in a mere four overs, while spinner Yannic Cariah had 2-14 in 2.3 overs.
With very little runs on the board, Red Force’s chase started steadily, but Harpy Eagles sensed a glimmer of hope when Veerasammy Permaul had Tion Webster (10) trapped in front with the score at 25-1.
Kjorn Ottley and Bravo added 58 for the second wicket to balance things out, before the former went leg-before-wicket to Gudakesh Motie. Ottley’s innings of 35 of 59 balls, included five boundaries.
Though Nicholas Pooran (three) and Jason Mohammed (zero) fell in quick succession to Motie leaving the score at 89-4, Bravo remained steady, and with Cariah, unbeaten on five, holding the other end, saw Red Force to a second-consecutive final.
Motie ended with 3-20 in seven overs.
The second semi-final between Leeward Island Hurricanes and Barbados Pride will be contested at the same venue on Thursday.
Former Portmore United striker Maalique Foster and Tyreek Magee make a long-awaited return to international football, as they join newcomer Jonathan Bell in the senior Reggae Boyz squad to face Guatemala on Saturday.
The friendly international is scheduled to take place at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
Foster, who currently represents Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL, last represented Jamaica in 2019 in Concacaf Nations League B action when he scored twice in their 6-0 beating of Aruba in Willemstad, Curacao.
Prior to that, the now 24-year-old Foster scored a late equalizer in the Boyz 2-2 stalemate with South Korea in a friendly contest in Turkey.
Now back, the nippy attacker, who is also known for his pace up front, will be hoping to impress Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and company, especially with the Nations League quarterfinals against Canada, and possibly an appearance in next year’s Copa America, to come.
Magee, 24, who also plies his trade in the USL with the Switchbacks, made a solitary appearance for the Boyz last year, and like Foster, will be aiming to make this opportunity count.
Bell, 26, is an American-born defender, who currently represents Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit St Louis City.
Meanwhile, Lamonth Rochester is making his transition from the national youth setup, while Shaneil Thomas and Shaqeil Bradford, would have been called up to the senior setup at some point or another without making the final cut.
Squad: Amal Knight, Jahmali Waite, Richard King, Kyle Ming, Jamoi Topey, Lamonth Rochester, Damani Osei, Jonathan Bell, Javain Brown, Shaneil Thomas, Lamonth Rochester, Trayvone Reid, Shaqeil Bradford, Devon Williams, Demario Phillips, Ramone Howell, Romario Williams, Deshane Beckford, Maalique Foster
Enqarde has a date with Haydock’s Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase after getting back to winning ways at Warwick on Wednesday.
Trained by Dr Richard Newland, the nine-year-old gave David Pipe’s Remastered a 10-length beating in the well-known staying handicap in 2021 but has struggled to hit the same heights since.
However, he booked a return to the Merseyside contest on December 23 when making a long-awaited return to the winner’s enclosure in the Ignite Incentives Handicap Chase – with the 10-1 shot showing plenty of guts to get the better of Docpickedme in a pulsating finish.
Charlie Skinner, member of joint owners Off The Clock Partners, said: “He had a wind operation over the summer and he has come right again. He had not been right since winning the Tommy Whittle, so that is why he had his third wind operation.
“First time out he is not normally so good, so we didn’t have thousands on him! Jumping the last we thought at least he has got third, but he is a really tough horse and he was given a peach of a ride (by Charlie Hammond).
“Haydock Park suits him, and I think the plan will be to go back to the Tommy Whittle after that.”
The future could be bright for Alan King’s Helnwein (10-11 favourite), who put his bumper experience to good use to oblige favourite backers in the Watch On Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle.
King said: “He is a horse that we like and he has done everything so easily at home. He does everything on the bridle at home and it would have been no surprise if he got beat today as a lot of mine have needed a run.
“He has done a lot of strengthening through the summer and the boys did a great job last season in only letting me run him in bumpers.
“There is a lot more to come from him and he is very much a work in progress. Hopefully he will build on that.
“I think we will stick at two miles for the time being, but he will get further in time. We could look to see if we can find one of those valuable introductory hurdles, but he will need between three and four weeks between his races.
“I needed to find some good horses, but last season’s bumper horses are the best I’ve had for a long time and he is one of the nicer ones.”
Johnny Burke enjoyed a double on the card, steering Henry Daly’s Rockinastorm (4-1) to victory in the Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase before adding to his tally aboard Ben Case’s Annie Day (7-1) in the Visit racingtv.com Novices’ Handicap Chase.
There was also a sighting of the Grand National-winning colours of Earth Summit as Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Supasunrise (4-1) claimed the 100% Racing TV Profits Back To Racing Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase in the hands of Finn Lambert.
“That was good as he really kept on plugging away,” said Twiston-Davies.
“The last day at Southwell everything just went wrong and he was jumping out to the right. We gave him a bit of physiotherapy and here we are.
“I think we could step him up to three miles back on better ground, so we have options with him going forward.”
Ado McGuinness thoroughly enjoyed his Breeders’ Cup experience despite Tiger Belle finding it tough going in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.
The Cotai Glory filly stepped up to the highest level in California following Group Three and Listed victories but after taking up a handy position, she dropped away in the closing stages to be beaten seven lengths by impressive winner Big Evs.
Tiger Belle’s next engagement will be at Tattersalls’ December Mares Sale, with McGuinness anticipating a healthy return for connections from their £70,000 breeze-up buy.
The trainer said: “She ran well to a point. I suppose we had a nice draw and we went to try to win the race. I think if we had ridden her a little bit differently, and took our time with her, she may have been placed.
“You make these decisions and you have to live by them.
“I didn’t realise Big Evs is the horse he is, he is a phenomenal horse. He actually burnt off the Queen Mary winner (Crimson Advocate), she struggled three-quarters of the way through the race.
“That just goes to show you the calibre of horse that is in it.
“She (Tiger Belle) will go to the mares’ sale in Newmarket next month. The syndicate that Stephen (Thorne, assistant trainer) set up is an investment syndicate and it was always the plan to move them on and reinvest again.
“We should have an awful lot more money than what we started off with, and she has been brilliant. We will be better off financially when we go shopping next spring.”
Reflecting on his Santa Anita trip, McGuinness added: “What an experience for everybody that was there and all my guys. I met Davy Russell who was over there just to experience it. It is just a different world, you have to go down there to really experience it.
“It is like the Olympics every year, and it is the best horses with the best jockeys and the best trainers there.”
Knickerbockerglory has the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in his sights following his commanding victory at Ascot on Saturday.
Making his seasonal return just 1lb higher than when a brave second in the Imperial Cup in the spring, Knickerbockerglory thrived in his favoured soft ground, coming home with real authority and over four lengths clear of his nearest pursuer Altobelli.
It was the gelding’s first victory since switching back to hurdles from the larger obstacles and Mark Speelman, who purchased the horse in January 2021 and remains an integral part of the Knickerbockerglory team, is hoping there is more to come from their progressive operator.
“It was a great performance in ground that he loved,” he said.
“He ran some very promising races last year. We started over fences but just felt the opportunities for him were better over hurdles and he ran a hell of a race in the Imperial Cup at Sandown where he was second. He led up until the last and was just caught up the run-in.
“He was entitled to win a race of this nature but it was great to see him do it.”
Knickerbockerglory is now set to take his chance at Cheltenham on November 19 providing he recovers sufficiently from his Ascot exertions.
The seven-year-old is a 10-1 chance with sponsors Unibet for the prestigious handicap in which trainer Dan Skelton has a stellar record and connections are dreaming of once again seeing soft appear in the going description for their mud-loving contender.
“They have won it with North Hill Harvey and then again with West Cork a couple of years ago, so they know what it takes to win the race,” added Speelman.
“We’re just seeing how he is and how he comes out of Ascot, but all being well that is the plan.
“It’s very exciting. He will carry a 5lb penalty and went up 7lb, so he will be a couple of pounds well in and hopefully he can back up his Ascot performance with another good one at Cheltenham. We will let him take his chance if he comes out of Ascot as well as we hope he does.
“The softer the ground, the better for him. He’s one of those horses who we will only ever run on ground that is very soft as that is where he thrives – he just seems to get through it a little bit easier than some of the others.”
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