Ascot

Byrne Group Handicap Chase:

A great race to start for the races with a sour aftertaste due to the injury of Baby Mix. The race started with Pearls Legend and Baby Mix making the pace however Harry Cobden soon pushed the expected pace setter Ulck Du Lin to the front however from 6 out the leader started to flag and was very quickly passed by Pearls Legend, Baby Mix, Purple N Gold, Sergeant Reckless and Cold March. Bellenos had already been pulled up by this stage and surely there was something amiss. Coming to 3 out it looked between Pearls Legend and Baby Mix but the latter made a mess of the 3rd last. These 2 had pulled 5 lengths clear of Sgt Reckless, Purple N Gold and Cold March but by the time they had reached the 2nd last the complexion had changed again with the running on Cold March getting much closer and he joined the front 2 halfway between the 2nd last and last. Cold March took off just in front of Pearls Legend with Baby Mix a further ½ length behind but he careered up the straight after the last to pull 7 lengths clear of Pearls Legend with Baby Mix a further 3 back in 3rd. Straight after the line Nick Schofield dismounted Baby Mix and his team came to see him. The hospital horsebox was required and he was taken away to be monitored. We heard later that Baby Mix had gone lame at the 3rd last and so did really well to finish 3rd as he did. Hopefully he can recover from this and come back later in the year.

William Hill Handicap Hurdle:

The William Hill Handicap Hurdle produced one of the finishes of the day with 4 of them looking like winning at some stage. Favourite Girl and Aerlite Supreme made most of the running however turning into the straight both Nabucco down the inside and Sign of A Victory around the outside were still travelling really well just behind the leaders. The patiently ridden Jollys Cracked It was tracking Sign of a Victory and the even more patiently ridden Unanimite was just starting to make his move from the back of the field. At the 2nd last Sign of A Victory and Nabucco jumped together and to the lead but Unanimite was still making progress from the back. Down to the last Nabucco showed the best turn of foot and edged in front from Sign of A Victory. Unanimite was still getting closer and whilst Nabucco didn’t jump the last well, Unanimite made an even worse error. The errors allowed Sign of A Victory to close again on Nabucco but once he had regained momentum he managed to fend of Sign A Victory and it was left to Jollys Cracked It who had jumped the last well and the rallying Unanimite to thrown down their challenges. The line came just in time for Nabucco and the poor jump at the last probably cost Unanimite who got back up for 2nd from Jollys Cracked It. Sign of A Victory finished a close 4th and that was a very credible effort considering he was giving 21lb to Nabucco, 21lb to Unanimite and 15lb to Jollys Cracked It. The winner can probably go close in a similar handicap on his revised mark the 4 year old Unanimite looking like a sure fire future handicap winner. Jollys Cracked It would jump a fence due to his size and Sign of A Victory will surely be back in Graded races after that.

Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase:

Another great race ensued here with the late money coming for Pendra who was both fitted with cheekpieces for the first time and had the assistance of Barry Geraghty who was riding for his boss JP McManus. What A Warrior who had won this race last year off a 5lb lower mark attempted to make all and win again but could only finish 4th. His front running style allowed many here to settle including Pendra and Fox Appeal who both sat handy with Double Ross in mid-division. Turning into the straight the strongly ridden What A Warrior was being closed on by Pendra who still looked full of running under Barry Geraghty with Fox Appeal and Lost Legend also trying hard just behind the leader. Back in 5th Ned Stark also didn’t look out of it who had been given a patient ride by Denis O’Regan. Pendra joined What A Warrior at the 2nd last but they were also starting to queue up behind with Ned Stark and Double Ross who had come from a mile back really staying on well. In between the 2nd last and last Barry Geraghty asked Pendra to go and win the race and win the race he did by putting 6 lengths between him and the still running on Double Ross. Double Ross continued to close the gap after the last but could only get within 3 ¼ lengths of Pendra who ran out a good winner and could well go in again now he has found his winning game. Double Ross ran on well for 2nd with Fox Appeal just outbattling What A Warrior for 3rd. Cantlow came from out of the clouds to finish a never nearer 5th and could be one to watch out for later in the season particularly at Newbury on Hennessy weekend where he won 2 years ago off a mark of 140.

Wetherby:

Bet365 Yorkshire Hurdle:

The Yorkshire Hurdle turned into a real test of stamina with Goldan Jess, Closing Ceremony and Kilcooley all making some of the running. When Kilcooley hit the front at the 7th he started to slowly turn the taps and by this stage Aqalim already looked in trouble as he was being ridden along and not really going anywhere. Both Grumeti and Rock on Ruby were travelling well but were not making any ground on Kilcooley and turning into the straight had a 4 length lead on Rock on Ruby with Grumeti just starting to get ridden along. The gap was never closed and Kilcooley pulled away with 2 good leaps and Rock on Ruby got tired and maybe didn’t get home in the ground. Aqalim who had been scrubbed along for a long time ran on well for 3rd just failing by ¾ length to catch Rock on Ruby for 2nd with Grumeti back in 4th. The Druids Nephew who was never put in the race came home in 6th under a careful ride from Michael Byrne who was conscious this one had future plans which include the Hennessy and possibly Grand National again.

Olbg Mares Hurdle

With these testing conditions taking their toll on many runners up to this time in the card, there was a sizeable gamble on Blue Buttons for Harry Fry and this mare went off the 2/1 favourite. After jumping out in front she turned into the straight with 5 all going well behind her with only really the weak Ma Filleule being pushed along. The sprint into the 3rd last caused Bantam to take a heavy fall and brought down the quietly ridden Roja Dove. Blue Buttons very quickly got many off the bridle and pulled a few lengths clear. Despite hitting the last she was far too good for her rivals and although Intense Tango ran on well for 2nd she was never going to catch Blue Buttons. Ma Filleule was very disappointing back in 6th and are turn to fences surely awaits. The winner is likely to be aimed at more of these Mares Hurdle events.

Charlie Hall Chase

Testing conditions were apparent again in the Charlie Hall Chase with the runners coming home very tired. After a slow sedate pace it probably paid to be prominent here and 6 from the finish Cue Card joined the long time leader Sam Winner with Holywell, Dynaste, Many Clouds, Ballynagour and Menorah all about 6 lengths behind. As they turned for home Cue Card was asked his first questions and he quickened into the lead with Sam Winner coming under strong pressure. Holywell was hard ridden 5 lengths behind with Many Clouds starting to run on down the inside. Dynaste was still travelling well but similar to Rock on Ruby in the previous race it was now a question of whether he would stay. With 3 to jump Cue Card had moved clear of Sam Winner and only Dynaste and Ballynagour were trying to make in roads into the lead. Dynaste and Ballynagour appeared to be closing fast coming into the last and took off just behind Cue Card however once Cue Card saw his rivals closing he responded really well to go away again after the last to win 3 ¾ lengths from Dynaste and Ballynagour back in 3rd. Grand National winner Many Clouds was eased quickly after it was clear he couldn’t win and he was saved for the Hennessy in just under a months time.