Dan Skelton has the Finale Juvenile Hurdle in mind for Kourosh after he strolled to victory on his British debut at Wetherby.
The well-backed 8-11 favourite was on winner on the Flat in Germany and in truth had little to beat in the wetherbyracing.co.uk Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.
Harry Skelton sent him into an early lead and he must have almost been a distance clear at one point in the straight, before being heavily eased to win by 21 lengths.
The Finale at Chepstow on December 27 has been downgraded to a Grade Two for this season.
Skelton said: “He’s a nice horse, from the first time we showed him a hurdle he’s wanted to jump which is a great attitude to have for a juvenile.
“He stayed a mile and six in Germany so the trip was never going to be an issue and he handles very soft ground. I think he can take pretty high standing.
“There are a few races worth a few quid in mind and with the laid-back attitude he has I’d have no problem going to Chepstow with him for the Finale. I know there’ll be some fancier horses going but they’ll need to show their liking for the ground whereas we’ve got that in our pocket already.”
He added: “I’ve got some nice juveniles, I run one next week called Le Fauve that came from France who is quite useful.”
Sam Drinkwater’s Gallic Geordie (5-1) won the feature Peter Beaumont Handicap Chase under Ned Fox.
“He pricks his ears when he’s in front but he has plenty of ability,” said Fox.
“He ran well first time out and everything fell in his favour today.”
Sue Smith’s Cerendipity (11-4) was thought highly enough of to run in the EBF Final at Sandown last season and got off the mark over fences at the second time of asking.
A fair third at Sedgefield first time out, he beat two useful types in Ukantango and Missed Tee and the six-year-old can only keep on improving.
Daryl Jacob was in saddle due to his association with owner Aafke Clarke, who has had the classy Midnight Shadow, the 2021 Paddy Power Gold Cup winner run in her colours.
Jacob said: “He’s getting there. He had a problem with his wind with that has been sorted.
“Sue picked out this race, it looked the right one to go for and he’s rewarded them.
“He’s a typical one of Sue and Harvey (Smith), he’ll keep on improving.”
The excellent Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero bagged another winner when No But I Will (7-2) held off Skelton’s Snipe in the Visit racingtv.com Handicap Chase.
Henry Brooke, who has struck up a good relationship with the yard, said: “His jumping is a big asset, but I didn’t give him the best of rides there. I got involved far too soon, but I was just anxious the one in front was getting a freebie.
“He’s a funny little horse to ride as he never really takes you anywhere, but he’s got a decent little engine on him when you rev him up.”
The Skeltons also had to settle for second with The Village Way in the Watch Race Replay At Racing TV Novices’ Hurdle as Toonagh Warrior (5-2) gained a first victory at the eighth attempt.
Now with Stuart Edmunds, he had previously been trained in Ireland by Philip Fenton.
Audacious Annie (11-8 favourite) won the closing mares’ bumper in fine style for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan.
The winner is a half-sister the classy stablemate You Wear It Well.
“She’s a really lovely mare, her owner, Semore Kurdi, sent her to me as we’d done such a good job with her sister and if she’s half as good we’ll be happy,” said Snowden.
“We’ll see how she comes out of this, but it would be lovely to think we could go for some black type.”
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
