Sandown Saturday

Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

NICKLE Back (Sarah Humphrey/James Best) made all for an emotional Grade 1 victory in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

It was a first success at the highest level for both Best and West Wratting trainer Sarah Humphrey, although the fatal fall of Hermes Allen at the penultimate fence marred the closing stages of the contest.

A 10/1 outsider, Nickle Back typically set off hard and quickly built up a cushion over the chasing pack, headed by Hermes Allen. Allowing his mount to take a real cut at his fences, Best found himself 20 lengths clear at the pond fence and although runner-up Djelo (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) made late inroads, the final margin was a very comfortable seven lengths.

The winner’s bold jumping isn’t deemed ideal for Cheltenham by his trainer, and he is being aimed instead at the two and a half mile Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree the following month.

“I just cannot believe it,” Best told ITV Racing. “As a small child growing up, you watch these races on the television on a Saturday and you dream of becoming a jockey and winning races like this.

“A massive thank you to Sarah and all the team; for them to put their faith in me on this wonderful horse, it means so much and I just can’t believe it. He was a bit brave early on and that kind of twisted my arm second time down the back.

“He loves galloping, and he loves jumping, so I just got a breather when I could. Congratulations to Sarah, as she has done a wonderful job with this horse, who is quite fragile and not easy to train.”

The rest of the Sandown card saw a double for trainer Ben Pauling, jockey Ben Jones and owners The Megsons as Harper’s Brook took the two-mile handicap chase and Sixmilebridge landed the concluding bumper.

Gamble

The latter was the subject of an on-course gamble and may take his chance in the Champion Bumper, as Pauling feels he may be “a bit special.”

As for the enigmatic Harper’s Brook, he has booked his place in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham next month, a race connections won with Global Citizen a few years ago.

Musselburgh Saturday/Sunday

MUSSELBURGH staged its showcase winter fixture last weekend and while it didn’t throw up any obvious festival contenders, a couple of the winners did their bit to boost some already strong form lines.

Marble Sands (David Killahena and Graeme McPherson/Nick Slatter) won the Frodon Novices’ Handicap Chase on Saturday off a BHA mark of 141 having previously looked badly out of his depth behind Il Est Francais in the Kauto Star at Kempton.

Inis Oirr won the Edinburgh National for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox, the seven-year-old improving for forcing tactics as much as the fitting of a visor and looks an ideal sort for the Scottish National at Ayr.

The handicapper raised him 14lb to 133 for this 21-length rout, but that merely ensures his place in the premier long-distance handicap chases, and he looks one to keep on the right side as a result.

Surprise winner

Ottizzini was a surprise winner of the Scottish Stayers’ Novices’ Hurdle for Stuart Crawford and Sean Quinlan, beating Cadell by six lengths. She had the run of the race and may be flattered as a result but was still paying a compliment to Brighterdaysahead who had Ottizzini well behind when winning the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares’ Novice at Down Royal in November.

Afadil (Paul Nicholls/Freddie Gingell) beat Tony Martin’s Zanndabad in the Scottish County Hurdle, although his chance in the County Hurdle itself next month is compromised by a very patchy record at Cheltenham, notwithstanding an eye-catching run in the Fred Winter last term.

The runner-up is not a fluent jumper but can make a mockery of his hurdles mark if and when he cuts out the mistakes.

Nicholls and stable jockey Harry Cobden teamed up for a four-timer on Sunday’s card including a double for new owners Neil and Alfie Smith courtesy of Liari in the Scottish Triumph Hurdle and Panjari in the Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The former was a very taking winner and looks worth his place in higher grade, although Aintree appeals more than Cheltenham at this stage.

Sadly, the profitable day on the track for Nicholls was overshadowed by news of the death of Keagan Kirkby, a popular member of the team at Ditcheat, in a point-to-point fall at Charing in Kent.

Around The Tracks

BEN Pauling is very much the man of the moment, capturing both listed events run midweek, starting with the Alan Swinbank Memorial Mares’ Bumper at Market Rasen on Tuesday.

Pauling saddled newcomer Diva Luna (Brian Hughes) to make an impressive winning debut under rules and the daughter of Diamond Boy is one of a number in training at Naunton Downs for owner Lynne McLennan.

Sent off at 4/1, Diva Luna made all the running and comfortably held the late challenge of Listentoyourheart to score by three-quarters of a length.

The Listed Sidney Banks Novices’ Hurdle has often proved a pointer to Festival success, with French Holly and Shishkin both winning here prior to scoring at Cheltenham in March.

Jumped soundly

This year, victory went to Ben Pauling’s Handstands in the colours of Tim Radford. The son of Getaway jumped soundly in the hands of Harry Cobden to beat Formby Hurdle winner Jango Baie and maintain his own unbeaten record. He was receiving 5lb from the runner-up, who he beat by a length and a half, so will need to progress again to score at the highest level, but looks a smart prospect for a yard having an excellent season.

Pauling also landed the bumper on the card to continue his fine run of form and it would be a foolish man who rules out the stable’s runners at Cheltenham next month, with Pauling having already trained three winners at the big meeting, and looking to have by far his strongest ever team this season.