Kelso Saturday
THERE was no beating around the bush from the ebullient Brian Ellison aftereven-money favourite Definitly Red had landed the Listed Premier Chase under regular rider Danny Cook, predicting that his stable star would go on to win at Aintree in a month.
“I think Definitly Red will win the National” stated Ellison bluntly as he greeted his winner, “I’ve always thought he would. Tiger Roll won’t give us a stone, no chance. He jumped brilliantly in the Becher Chase, he’s a great stayer, he’s on 10st 12lb and he has everything going for him. All I need is good to soft ground, not bottomless.
“The main thing now is to get him there. He’ll have an easy time for a week and he’s not a horse that needs a lot of galloping. This wasn’t his ground or his track so that was grand.”
Definitly Red, wearing cheekpieces for the first time, looked like he might be vulnerable to the stalking Kauto Riko (Tom Gretton/Brian Hughes), but while he may lack the cruising pace of the runner-up, he stays much better than that rival, and he ended up pulling 14 lengths clear to advertise his trainer’s claims, and show himself pretty much as good as ever. This was an especially encouraging effort, as the gelding was beaten at odds of 1/6 at this track last year, and it’s not the ideal venue for this resolute galloper.
Caitlin shows the boys
The Grade 2 William Hill Premier Novices’ Hurdle turned into a real test at the two-and-a-quarter-mile trip, and it was Ruth Jefferson’s 9/4 second favourite Clondaw Caitlin who stayed best to win by five lengths under Brian Hughes, with Elf de Re (Sandy Thomson/Ryan Mania) holding off Cheddleton (Jennie Candlish/Sean Quinlan) by a neck for second place.
The winning trainer is of the opinion that Clondaw Caitlin will stay much further on better ground and stamina is essentially the key to her progress.
Jefferson is considering sending the daughter of Court Cave to Aintree, but there is also a good opportunity at Cheltenham in April, when one of the days is set aside for mares.
Doncaster Saturday
THE Grimthorpe Chase is often a guide to the Grand National, but not so this year, with the winner not entered and the others absolutely routed in testing conditions. Captain Chaos (Dan/Harry Skelton) made one significant early error, but essentially outjumped his rivals to win by 54 lengths from Worth Farm (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden). Yalltari (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) was the only other finisher, a distance behind the runner-up. The winner has been raised 8lb for his win, which looks lenient given the margins involved, but harsh enough on balance of form. He is being considered for the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on the final day of the season.
Cill Anna lands hat-trick
The 888Sport Take ‘Em On Listed Mares’ Hurdle produced the finish of the day as the Paul Nicholls-trained Cill Anna (Harry Cobden) got the better of long-time leader Ziggy Rose (Noel Williams/Paddy Brennan) to win by half a length, completing a hat-trick and landing the odds of 4/6 laid on her.
The winner is qualified for the EBF Mares’ Final at Newbury, but had a hard race here and wouldn’t want to be turned out too quickly, a comment which also applies to the equally courageous runner-up. The first four home in the EBF qualifier at Wincanton which Cill Anna took in January have all scored on their next start, and that race should remain profitable to follow.