15:40 The Racing Post Trophy is the final Group One of the turf flat season and it turned out to be a really rough race with several hard luck stories.
Jamie Spencer launched a blistering late run on Crowded House to record a devastating victory, although as he made the run he ran very much to his left and, arguably, caused some interference.
Favourite Jukebox Jury managed to take second place after meeting plenty of trouble in running.
Winning jockey Jamie Spencer was pleased with the performance and put the drift of his runner down to the horses inexperience.
Winning trainer Brian Brian Meehan described the winner as being "classy"
15:10 This afternoon is turning into a graveyard for punters as the Doncaster Stakes throws up a 50/1 winner in the shape of Imperial Guest, who was launched with a strong run inside the final half furlong to grab victory by half a length. The odds on favourite, Sayif, raced as if he had a problem and was virtually pulled up by Jamie Spencer.
14:52 The St Simon Stakes was the highlight of Newbury’s card.
Annoyingly for each way punters the race became a seven runner affair when Spanish Moon refused to enter the stalls.
It was a bad result for odds-on backers as Ask trailed home almost last, running far too keenly for his own good and the writing was on the wall two out when the colt went into reverse.
Up front it became a two horse race with Buccellati getting the better of Blue Monday under a good ride under William Buick
14:30 It’s hard to keep pace with all the action, at Chepstow Wichita Lineman is back in the winners enclosure, winning on his chasing debut.
It was a tight finish only taking victory by a neck from the fast finishing West End Rocker. It has seemed the odds-on favourite, Big Fella Thanks,was going to be the winners main rival, however Paul Nicholls charge quickly faded after the last.
Meanwhile at Donny Judge ‘n Jury took the five furlong Coral.UK Handicap. Ron Harris’s gelding took the lead approaching the final furlong a held on under 3lb claimer Kevin Ghunowa, who had to work hard to keep the gelding in front to hold on by ¾ length from the running on Fantasy Explorer.
14:21 It isn’t all jump racing today, there are a couple of decent flat meetings at Newbury and Doncaster.
The Horace Hill at Newbury saw the favourite Nasri run a stinker, well worked up in the preliminaries he was never in the contest.
Evasive set a good lead and had a big lead inside the final furlong and the only question was would he hold on, of course to hold on he would need a challenger, the challenge eventually came from Bonnie Charlie, who was running on well at the end but for Evasive the line came in time and he held on for a half length victory.
Aahaykid was a further 2 ¼ lengths back in third.
14:18 Veterans chases are becoming increasingly popular, giving old favourites a chance to race their contemporaries .
One such old favourite is Fundamentalist who took this event with plenty of hand, having been happy to settle mid-division for most of the race before David England took him to the front as they turned for home. The only runner to even attempt to go with him was Aleron but, in truth, he was never going to challenge the winner.
Kenzo III was sent off the favourite and after being too keen and causing a false start ran his normal front running performance, but was unable to see it through.
13:42 It was Chepstow’s turn for another shock result in the 2½ mile hurdle.
Theatre Girl was the well backed favourite, usurping Lead On, ended up being pulled up four from home. Lead On was not that much more impressive, coming under pressure approaching three out.
Approaching two out it looked to be a three horse race with, Irish Legend , King Caine and Aimigayle all in with a chance.
By the last it was down to the first two named with Irish Legend having the better legs, opening up a two length lead.
13:42 Back to normal service for Paul Nicholls at Aintree with Tatenen winning on his chasing debut and strengthening his position at the head of the Arkle betting, where he is available at around 7/1.
It wasn’t a totally fluent run and he made several mistakes in the early stages, although as the race progressed his jumping improved. The really eye catching aspect was the horses ability to cope with his mistakes.
Jockey Ruby Walsh was impressed with the winner saying, “He is a smashing horse and will improve for the run.”
Striking Article was the disappointment of the race making far too many mistakes and losing any remote chance of winning after going through the top of the third last.
13:26 Chepstow’s starter was arguably the best novice hurdle so far this short season.
It also produced a minor shock with the Paul Nicholls trained Hell’s Bay, ridden by Sam Thomas who was returned at an unbelievable 16/1 – well unbelievable in hindsight at least, with the runner defying a 246 day lay-off.
Jumping into the lead three out the winner never looked to be in any danger. Favourite Junior did not look to be that happy this afternoon.
Tarablaze, the second favourite, took the runners up-spot but never threatened the winner.
13:15 A poor start for favourite backers in the opener at Aintree with Rippling Ring sent off the 8/15 favourite for the Paul Nicholls / Ruby Walsh combo but never threatening.
Honours went to the front running French Opera who set off in front and, frankly never looked to be in any danger. Under an inspired ride under Marcus Foley.
The form of the race must be questioned as not only was the favourite disappointing but the minor honours went to outsiders.
The weather at Aintree has not been nice and the going is now good to soft.
Return to race archive |
Selected Results
1:05 Aintree
1st 5 Freanch Opera 5/1
2nd 7 Dishdasha 16/1
3rd 10 Culcabock 33/1
14 Ran NR's 2 & 16
Distances: 2 3/4L & 1 1/4L
Tote
Win £6.00
Places £1.70 £2.20 £6.00
Exacta £55.70
CSF £69.54
Tricast £2,416.77
1:20 Chepstow
1st 8 Hell's Bay 16/1
2nd 6 Tarablaze 3/1
3rd 5 No Panic 20/1
10 Ran
Distances: 5L & 5L
Tote
Win £23.70
Places £4.60 £1.60 £3.50
Exacta £94.10
CSF £63.64
1:35 Aintree
1st 5 Tatenen 4/7 fav
2nd 4 The Duke's Speech 33/1
5 Ran
Distances: 11L
Tote
Win £1.70
Places £1.50 £4.30
Exacta £11.70
CSF £13.90
1:50 Chepstow
1st 6 Irish legend 14/1
2nd 8 King Caine 15/2
3rd 9 Aimigayle 50/1
9 Ran
Distances: 2L & 4 1/25L
Tote
Win £10.30
Places £2.70 £2.60 £6.50
Exacta £80.10
CSF £109.45
Tricast £4,993.06
2:05 Aintree
1st 1 Fundamentalist 7/2
2nd 8 Aleron 7/1
3rd 5 El Vaquero 7/1
8 Ran NR's 3 & 7
Distances: 6L & 25L
Tote
Win £4.10
Places £1.70 £1.60 £2.40
Exacta £21.70
CSF £27.30
Tricast £160.23
2:10 Newbury
1st 5 Evasive 15/2
2nd 2 Bonnie Charlie 6/1
3rd 1 Aahaykid 25/1
13 Ran NR 14
Distances: 1/2L & 2 1/4L
Tote
Win £7.90
Places £2.90 £2.40 £7.30
Exacta £58.70
CSF £51.55
2:20 Chepstow
1st 5 Wichita Lineman 3/1
2nd 4 West End Rocker 14/1
5 Ran
Distances: 2L & 4 1/25L
Tote
Win £3.60
Places £2.40 £2.50
Exacta £22.80
CSF £31.17
2:25 Doncaster
1st 1 Judge 'n Jury 13/2
2nd 16 Fantasy Explorer 12/1
3rd 19 Fol Hollow 14/1
4th 7 River Falcon 12/1
20 Ran NR's 11 & 12
Distances: 3/4L & Short head
Tote
Win £6.20
Places £1.90 £3.40 £3.60 £3.00
Exacta £117.30
CSF £70.20
Tricast £1,099.20
2:45 Newbury
1st 4 Buccellati 15/2
2nd 2 Blue Monday 7/1
7 Ran WD 6
Distances: 1L
Tote
Win £5.90
Places £2.60 £2.40
Exacta £29.00
CSF £42.72
Rule 4 deduct 10p in the pound
3:00 Doncaster
1st 7 Imperial Guest 50/1
2nd 5 Enderby Spirit 14/1
3rd 2 Absent Pleasure 14/1
11 Ran W/D 1 & 13
Distances: 1/2L & 1/2L
Tote
Win £62.50
Places £9.70 £3.30 £3.80
Exacta £717.10
CSF £614.88
3:35 Doncaster
1st 2 Crowded House 7/1
2nd 5 Jukebox Jury 2/1 fav
3rd 13 Skanky Biscuit 16/1
15 Ran
Distances: 3 1/2L & neck
Tote
Win £8.40
Places £2.50 £1.50 £3.50
Exacta £23.60
CSF £20.78
|
