After events at Taunton, Cheltenham and Fontwell in the past fortnight, jumps fans needed a boost and as ever, Haydock's Betfair Chase meeting delivered the perfect gift despite the horrific conditions. Since the race was founded in 2005, the race keeps throwing up memorable and emotional renewals. Cue Card winning the race three times, Silviniaco Conti a dual winner, the war between Kauto Star and Imperial Commander in 2009 and the best of all, Kauto returning to win his fourth Betfair in 2011 aged 11, with the packed stands all shouting him home regardless of what you'd backed.
This season though, Bristol De Mai went for a third win in the race, up against the horse who knocked him off his throne last year Lostintranslation together with dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux. More on that later, but let's rewind to Friday first.
Friday 20th November 2020:
Ascot played host to a couple of nice races for young horses including the chasing debut of Chantry House, the latest in a batch of exciting Nicky Henderson horses for the season. Personally, I thought his performance was reminiscent of Altior in it's appearance, with some slow and not very slick jumping in the early stages and having to be kidded along at a couple of junctures in the race. However when the tap was turned on, just prior to Pic D'Orhy taking a tumble at three out, he came back hard on the bridle and jumped the last two with lots of enthausiasm and quickened well when asked. He strikes me as a horse who will keep improving and the sky remains the limit. Speaking of Henderson horses, Buzz, who ran well in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on his return this season, absolutely hacked up in a good field. He was a well above-average Flat horse and there is an argument to say that if Seven Barrows weren't armed with Buveur D'Air and Epatante, then Buzz may well be considered for a spot higher up the ladder. For now though, a return to Ascot for the big handicap just before Christmas could well be on the agenda.
Metier again impressed for Harry Fry in the introductory hurdle, with the second horse Tile Tapper definitely one to keep on side for a trainer who certainly knows what he is doing in Chris Honour.
One to catch the eye at Chepstow amidst the gloomy weather was Eclair D'Ainay taking the novice handicap chase for the Skelton brothers. You won't see many better rounds of jumping around Chepstow, which is a real test for any horse let alone one making his chase debut. He won this off 116 but despite being destined for a hike in the weights, if he jumps like that again, he'll be very hard to beat wherever he goes.
Saturday 21st November 2020:
As mentioned earlier on, Bristol De Mai left his Gloucestershire base to try and wrestle back the Betfair Chase trophy. The weather gods certainly were on Bristol's side as it tipped it down all day leaving the ground heavy for the off. Lostintranslation didn't look himself for most of the final circuit and despite Clan Des Obeaux travelling best to two out, you always felt that Bristol would find enough. This was 'his Gold Cup' as opposed to the others you feel. It's all about the King George with Clan Des Obeaux and with the Tizzard horses all needing the run, you sense the Gold Cup itself is the primary target for Lostintranslation.
Elsewhere on the card, it is great to see Master Tommytucker begin to sort his jumping out after taking the Graduation Chase in impressive fashion under Sam Twiston-Davies. He's still not 100% but I wouldn't like to guess where he could be come the end of the season.
Main Fact remarkably landed yet another win in the feature three mile handicap hurdle, giving the impressive young rider Fergus Gillard a big Saturday winner. More on the horses in behind below.
At Ascot, Imperial Aura once again enhanced his growing reputation with a very good performance against Itchy Feet, whose jumping could have been better, and Real Steel bombed out quickly on his debut for Paul Nicholls. The winner was the only horse with a run this season and once again, like so many of Kim Bailey's horses, his jumping was very good all race. First Flow was also successful for the yard later on the card on ground which definitely would be as quick as he'd want it, as he loves heavy ground, reminiscant of the yard's former top staying chaser Harry Topper.
Song For Someone was also impressive for the very much in form Tom Symonds yard, beating Call Me Lord, who ran just ok and the disappointing Laurina, who once again ran a stinker, this time on her first run for Paul Nicholls. I feel she hasn't really been the same since her disappointing run in the Champion Hurdle to the ill fated Espoir D'Allen in heavy ground in 2018, and now it requires a serious time spent at the drawing board.
I've compiled a list of 5 to keep onside from Saturday:
Third Wind (Hughie Morrison) - A very good second to Main Fact at Haydock under Jonjo O'Neill Jnr and this likeable and consistent performer looks set for another good campaign. He is already qualified for the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival, a race in which he ran well in last year. The Pertemps qualifier at Wincanton on Boxing Day could be a target.
Imperial Alcazar (Fergal O'Brien) - Midfield behind Main Fact as well on his seasonal reappearance after travelling very well if not a bit keen through the race. He came to nearly take over at the third last before his exersions took their toll in the bottomless ground. Paddy Brennan looked after him and he remains a nice prospect.
Frimeur De Lancray (Sue Smith) - 4th in the opening Listed novice hurdle at Haydock on his third hurdle start, staying on strongly all the way to the line after being outpaced on the home turn. The three ahead of him were all past winners, with one win, two wins and three hurdle wins respectively ahead of him and this lad, with a step up in trip, will definitely be winning very soon.
Camprond (Phillip Hobbs) - A very good 2nd on his Huntingdon hurdle debut for Phillip Hobbs behind Glory And Honour, a horse that Tom Lacey rates highly. He had been off for the best part of two years since leaving Pia Brandt's yard in France, but running in the colours of JP McManus, this four year old ran a fantastic race, jumping well and travelling powerfully throughout. He's a winner waiting to happen.
The Denholm Bandit (Stuart Kittow) - Ran in the farcically run bumper at Ascot on Saturday and ultimately finished in midfield. He is one to pop on your trackers with "3m handicaps", which will hopefully prove fruitful once that avenue is explored further down the line.
Next weekend brings us the Fighting Fifth and Ladbroke Trophy Festival, plus some top class Irish racing too.
