A huge crowd at Fontwell were treated to a good afternoons racing, including Lough Derg going back to the top of the Order of Merit championship.
The card opened with a 2½ mile novice hurdle, in which the Nicky Henderson trained, jumping debutant, Galient (a son of Galileo) was sent off the even money favourite. In the first two throughout the race the only challenge came from the Alan King trained Dragon Eye, who tracked the leaders and came on with a late run.
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Tote Win £1.90 Place £1.10, £1.80, £1.90, |
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The second race was reduced to a four runner affair with the defection of Sole Agent. Fakenham winner Oscar Park who led for almost all the race ran out a facilt 19 length winner, winning as he wanted and as an odds on favourite should. Top weight O’Mally kept the winner company for most of the race, however he tied up in the run in being attacked on both sides by runner-up Dr Hart and third placed Gaelic Gift.
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Tote Win £1.50 Exacta £4.70 |
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There were three non-runners in the 2½ mile chase, leaving a field of five, headed by Paul Nicholls grey Sporazene, sent off the 6/4 favourite. Whilst Nicholls has farmed the recent Saturday races, he was out of luck in this race. Never really in contention, he made a terrible mistake at the 10th, losing all chance. At the business end, veteran Tikram coasted home for his fourth course win. Written off by many as being on the decline, he romped home by 23 lengths. Speaking after the race co-owner Rodger Sargent hinted this may be the horses last race, although the final decision will rest with trainer Gary Moore.
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Tote Win £2.50 Place £1.40, £3.20, |
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The big race of the afternoon was the National Spirit Hurdle (named after the 1947 and 1948 Champion Hurdle and a five time Fontwell winner). Big names like Lough Derg, Elusive Dream, Flight Leader, Refinement, Ashley Brook and My Way De Solzen line up.
My Way De Solzen went off the 6/4 favourite, with Elusive Dream at 9/4 and Lough Derg an unfancied 5/1.
It looked as though Lough Derg was going to put in his usual front running performance, however one of the outsiders, Gold Gun, had other ideas and was leading by the third. Lough Derg was content to take second with My Way De Solzen tracking the leaders. Despite making a mistake at the 6th My Way de Solzen was in the lead by the end of the penultimate circuit, where he was joined by Elusive Dream. Throughout the final circuit it looked to be a two horse race with Lough Derg booked for third. Even after the last My Way De Solzen and Elusive Dream were clear, when Tom Scudamore shook Lough Derg’s reigns and the horse responded with a blistering run. At the same time My way De Solzen started drifting right and Lough Derg ran on for a good two length victory, with Refinement also running on to snatch third from Elusive Dream.
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Tote Win £6.90 Place £2.00, £1.10, £2.00 |
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The Hunter Chase was another dominated by the top trainers, with Paul Nicholls Lou Du Moulin Mas sent off the very short priced favourite and Venetia Williams Green Belt Flyer the second favourite with, almost, name your price the remainder.
Old timer Take The Stand was prominent for the first two circuits, however by the time the runners turned into the home straight for the final time, the two market leaders were in front, however it was the Williams runner who was in command. Coming to the last Green Belt Flyer was a couple of lengths clear when he too a crashing, and sadly fatal, fall, leaving the odds on favourite a very fortunate 26 length winner.
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Tote Win £1.50 Place £1.10, £3.00, |
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The 2¼ mile handicap hurdle went to the well backed Trigger Guard, trained by Gary Moore, who beat the front running Final Bid and disappointing Jonjo O’Neill favourite Yellow Flag.
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Tote Win £4.40 Places £1.60, £1.60, £1.70, |
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