Tag Archive for: bet365 Select Hurdle

Select performance sees Knappers Hill on top

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Knappers Hill spoiled the Tom O’Brien farewell as Paul Nicholls’ charge landed the bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown.

O’Brien, who had announced he was hanging up his riding boots after a stellar career with trainer Philip Hobbs, looked to have a solid chance aboard Thyme Hill, who on official ratings had 10lb in hand on his rivals as he switched disciplines following a modest run in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.

And O’Brien looked well-poised as he tracked the sedate pace set by the mare Theatre Glory in the extended two-mile-five-furlong affair.

However, there was to be no fairytale farewell for O’Brien, as the race turned into something of a sprint.

O’Brien and Thyme Hill were tight for room and tapped for toe at the second-last, where Knappers Hill and Bryony Frost picked up well, having initially sat at the back of the quintet.

Frost, replacing Harry Cobden, who stood himself down following a fall earlier in the afternoon, seized her chance, with the seven-year-old, winner of the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, picking up in great style.

Knappers Hill (11-2) stayed on well up the hill after the last and just had enough to repel the late thrust of Goshen, who had to be switched to challenge.

Gary Moore’s runner, who was a neck behind, could be considered somewhat unlucky not to record a third course success. O’Brien bowed out with a third-place finish.

Celebrating a winner on the day he was officially crowned champion for the 14th time, Nicholls said: “We were a bit worried about the ground and we were in one mind whether to run him or not, because the only time he’s been disappointing was here in the EBF Final on soft ground.

“We rode him different today and just took our time, I said to Bryony to let him creep into things and hope they don’t go too quick and see if he gets the trip and he did. He’ll go chasing next year, he’ll be a nice type for things like the Rising Stars at Wincanton so we’re looking forward to that now.”

Frost added: “We just took our time. He’s got so much ability and it was very easy. We cruised through in a little field and I enjoyed every moment of his jumping.

“Turning in the speed we hit was awesome, he’s a quality horse and he’s going to make some chaser next year. I couldn’t believe it was going our way, it’s probably the first race all day that has. It’s fantastic for the owners and this crowd is great.”

Hanlon: Hewick in right spot for him at Sandown

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Rachael Blackmore partners Hewick when he attempts to strike at Sandown’s jumps finale meeting for the second year in a row, lining up in the bet365 Oaksey Chase.

Whereas last year John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s versatile performer was scoring in the handicap feature over three and three-quarter miles, his performances since have earnt him a crack at the Grade Two on the card over a mile less.

The eight-year-old – who famously cost only €850 euros – has gone from strength to strength since his victory in Esher 12 months ago, winning the Galway Plate and American Grand National before running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he was well in it before suffering a fall two out.

Having missed out on a tilt at the Grand National while recovering from his Prestbury Park exertions, Hewick was set to line up in the Punchestown Gold Cup earlier this week before conditions turned against him.

Instead he returns to Sandown for a race where he is 10lb clear of his nearest rival on ratings.

“The race is very suitable for him,” said Hanlon.

“I would have loved to have run him at Punchestown but the ground there is very tacky. I know they’re set to get a drop of rain at Sandown but I was talking to the clerk of the course and he said the ground would be like last year. So if it is on the soft side of good that will do perfectly.

“He was running a cracker in Cheltenham when he fell and I’ve tried to go down the option here of the easier route. I could have gone for the bet365 Gold Cup again, but I would be giving away two stone to everything.

“In this race it is the other way round and the opposition is giving me weight. They have to beat me this time whereas usually it’s the other way round. Take the top horse (Eldorado Allen), he is rated 12lb lower than Hewick, yet has to give him 2lb. I think the race is very suitable for the horse and he is in great form.”

Hewick has been ridden by Jordan Gainford in his six of his last seven starts.

However, with the young Irish pilot on the sidelines with injury, Hanlon has called up an old ally to deputise – having been one of the first to Blackmore’s talents at the fledgling stages of her career.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick during a visit to Shark Hanlon’s yard at Bagenalstown in County Carlow
John ‘Shark’ Hanlon with Hewick during a visit to Shark Hanlon’s yard at Bagenalstown in County Carlow (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“We have Rachael Blackmore on board and I don’t think there is anything wrong with our jockey booking – we’ve got a great substitute,” continued Hanlon.

“It’s tough on Jordan because Gordon (Elliott) said he was available to go over, so it is very tough the way it has worked out. Hopefully he will be back in the saddle when we get back to Galway or somewhere.”

Kim Bailey’s First Flow and Joe Tizzard’s Eldorado Allen are next best on official figures but the biggest danger to Hewick could be the improving Solo who has seen the form of his Pendil Novices’ Chase victory franked in recent weeks.

The seven-year-old is one of two for Paul Nicholls alongside McFabulous as the champion trainer looks to win this contest for the fourth time in a row.

“Solo won the Pendil Novices’ Chase last time and the form has worked out well – the horse who finished second of Jamie Snowden won last week at Ayr. We’ve kept him fresh for this,” said the Ditcheat handler.

“McFabulous, his last two runs have been disappointing. He didn’t go on the soft ground at Kempton on Boxing Day. He pulled up at Newbury and had an irregular heartbeat for whatever reason, but he’s been fine since. But he has been out of sorts and has to bounce back from that.

“Solo I think will go very well in this, but I think Hewick is the one to beat.”

Topham runner-up Fantastic Lady represents Nicky Henderson, with the field rounded off by Gary Moore’s hat-trick-seeking Black Gerry – a winner of four of his six appearances this term.

“He’s governed by the ground but has done amazingly well this year,” said Moore.

“It won’t be easy for him and he wants soft ground really, but the trip will suit him well.”

Although Black Gerry may be an outsider in the Oaksey Chase, Moore holds a strong hand in the bet365 Select Hurdle with Goshen.

The enigmatic seven-year-old was a good winner of the Ascot Hurdle in November before finishing second to Paisley Park in the rearranged Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton. But he now has a point to prove following some below-par efforts since.

Goshen, ridden by Jamie Moore, goes on to win The Coral Hurdle at Ascot
Goshen, ridden by Jamie Moore, goes on to win The Coral Hurdle at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“I like to think he has a reasonable chance,” said Moore.

“He hasn’t once been out of the money this year and I’ve done some stupid things with him – I’ve run him over fences twice and run him at Fontwell.

“He won’t be signing off because he will be running on the Flat if we have some soft ground next week, but hopefully he will be out in the field by June and July.”

Thyme Hill was a Grade One winner over fences earlier in the campaign but now reverts to hurdles for Philip Hobbs and Johnson White, while Nicky Henderson saddles both 2018 winner Call Me Lord and the likeable mare Theatre Glory.

Nico de Boinville and Theatre Glory return after securing Listed honours at Warwick
Nico de Boinville and Theatre Glory return after securing Listed honours at Warwick (PA)

The five-strong line-up is complete by Knappers Hill, who was a winner of a handicap last yearat this meeting and has performed adequately when handed some stiff assignments this term.

“If he gets two-mile-five he will go well I think. We have kept him fresh for this,” said Nicholls.

“He ran twice in a week back in February which was a bit too much for him really and then we’ve kept him fresh for this.

“He won over two and a half at Chepstow on debut this season and definitely has a chance. I guess it will be good to soft and that will suit him well.”