Ascot Saturday
Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1)
THE Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase saw six runners go to post, but the market was dominated by Jonbon (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville) and Pic d’Orhy (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) to the exclusion of the others.
The race panned out the same way, with 4/9 market leader Jonbon getting the better of the 2025 winner from the last fence to win by a length and a half, proving his stamina for the longest trip he’s tackled under rules.
Pic d’Orhy had disappointed in the autumn, but was clearly back near his best in an attempt to win this race for a third time, and the form looks solid for the grade.
As in the Clarence House Chase four weeks previously, Jonbon got a little outpaced on the home turn, but he dug in gamely and a good jump at the last fence enabled him to cut the long-time leader back on the flat. The pair pulled 14 lengths clear of Blow Your Wad, who passed Edwardstone late to snatch third.
First or second
Jonbon was winning a 12th Grade 1 in the Ascot Chase and preserved the record which has seen him finish first or second in all 27 of his outings under NH rules.
He’s been crabbed at times, but such consistency at the highest level is exceptionally rare and he’s a horse who really needs to be cherished for his class and longevity. Pic d’Orhy, for his part, has now finished first or second in 11 of his 15 starts in Grade 1 or Grade 2 chases, and helped make this race into a thrilling spectacle.
“Your mind goes back to Grundy and Bustino when you see a race like that,” said Henderson. “It was a proper race between two older horses, who put up the race of the season. They jumped, fought, and traded blows. It was in the balance all the way.
“He ran the same sort of race that he did in the Clarence House. He looked in trouble on the bend, but it was his stamina that got him home over two miles last time and it was his stamina that got him home today over two miles five, so there’s no doubt he stayed.
“He’s something very special and you don’t get many like him. His record of never finishing outside the first two says it all. Even if he doesn’t win, he never lies down.”
Reynoldstown Chase
The Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase, sponsored this year by the Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassador Programme, was reduced to three runners with the overnight withdrawal of favourite Thomas Mor, and that left the way open for the Ben Pauling-trained The Jukebox Kid (Ben Jones) to dominate.
The 4/6 favourite jumped soundly in front and never looked in great danger, as he justified favouritism by a comfortable five and a half lengths from Western Knight (Joe Tizzard/Harry Cobden).
The winner is now unbeaten going right-handed over fences and could be aimed at the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. “We’re delighted with the way The Jukebox Kid went through the race, and he showed more professionalism early doors,” said Pauling. “I think we might have a tilt at the Irish National. He’s at the right end of the handicap and going the right way.”
Haydock Saturday
LUD’OR (Tom Symonds/Gavin Sheehan) took the step up from handicaps in his stride and gave his trainer a first graded winner in over five years, when landing the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday.
Settled behind the leaders in the early stages, the well-supported 11/8 favourite was shaken up by Gavin Sheehan approaching the home straight for the final time and picked up well for pressure to lead before the last and went on to secure a four-length win over recent Sandown scorer Henri The Second (Paul Nicholls/Freddie Gingell), with Lavida Adiva (Ruth Jefferson/Brian Hughes) a similar margin away in third.
French Ship was still in contention and travelling within himself when taking an unlucky fall after stumbling after landing at the third-last flight.
“It’s just nice to have a horse who hasn’t put a foot wrong for us yet,” said Symonds. “Lud’or’s jumping is getting a lot more accurate and the further he went, the better he got. He’s learning to race more professionally. He could potentially go for the Liverpool Hurdle, but soft ground would be key. I’m excited about the prospect of him going chasing.”
Dalston Lad stays best
The Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle is often a guide to the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham and this year’s renewal was won in good style by 5/2 favourite Dalston Lad (Dan/Harry Skelton), who stayed on strongest in the straight to beat Ubatuba (Olly Murphy/Ben Sutton) by four lengths, with Tashkhan (Brian Ellison/Brian Hughes) beaten a further six and a half lengths in third.
The winner led early and was always in the van, regaining the advantage three out and galloping on strongly to the line to advertise his claims for staying novice honours, although it will be Aintree and not Cheltenham where he will be tackling Grade 1 company, as Dan Skelton explained:
“It was the perfect race for Dalston Lad and he’s improved again. He was struggling with ulcers at the start of the season, but he’s progressive, and that was really good.
“He’ll gallop all day and wouldn’t want it quicker (than good to soft).
“Hopefully, it will be good to soft at Aintree and he’ll take his chance there. He’s entered at Cheltenham, but it will come too quick and we have Moneygarrow for that race.”
Wincanton Saturday
THE Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle was without last year’s winner Golden Ace, and gave Alexei (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) a chance to build upon his progressive form in handicaps, and the German-bred gelding did just that, for all he probably didn’t need to improve to beat Rubaud (Paul Nicholls/Sam Twiston-Davies) by a length and a quarter on testing ground.
The 1/2 favourite allowed Rubaud to lead, but travelled up strongly in the straight and, although he had a look at the last couple of hurdles and then wandered around when taking the lead at the last to remind us that he still has a quirk or two, he rallied to show that he had a little left up his sleeve.
“Alexei has got the job done and looked as though he travelled into the race nicely,” said a satisfied Tizzard. “He’s not run for a little while and, on his first run in Graded company, he’s won, so what more can you do really?
“We’ll have a crack at the Champion Hurdle. One thing for certain is that he’ll travel into the race. Whether he’s good enough, we’ll find out in three and a half weeks.”
THE colours of Susannah Ricci being carried to victory on a British racecourse has become a familiar sight and He’s On Fire (Willie/Patrick Mullins) was the latest to sport the ubiquitous pink with neon green spots in the winner’s enclosure, with the 2/9 favourite winning a maiden hurdle on Monday at Carlisle by 20 lengths.
He is entered in the Supreme and Turners at Cheltenham, but will reportedly miss the Festival and could head to Aintree or Punchestown according to Patrick, who is in little doubt that the son of Chanducoq (also the sire of Tutti Quanti) is a horse to look forward to when seeing a fence.
“He’s On Fire is a fine horse and a real chaser,” said Patrick to Racing TV cameras. “I can’t wait to see him next season.
“He needed a bit of time to acclimatise and we wanted to get a nice confidence booster into him. This was ideal.
“We may look to Aintree and Punchestown, but really, we want to go chasing with him next year as he’s a lovely ride and jumps fantastically well.”