Not long till the Cheltenham Festival folks – this time next month we’ll be within touching distance of the best four days on the jumping calendar, but before that there’s still plenty to look forward to with the Close Brothers Chase, at Kempton Park, one of the February features – run on Saturday, the 27th.
To slightly older racing fans, this race will still be referred to as the Racing Post Chase with the contest run under that title from 1988 till 2011!
This 3m Grade 3 Handicap Chase is steeped in history, too, with greats like Crisp (1972) and Desert Orchid (1990) topping the hall of fame, while in more recent times trainers Colin Tizzard and Philip Hobbs, plus jockeys Richard Johnson, Paddy Brennan and Sam Twiston-Davies have all done well.
Yes, since 1999 the Hobbs camp have taken the race four times and jockey Richard Johnson has landed the spoils on five occasions. While in the last eleven renewals we’ve seen Paddy Brennan steer home three winners and Sam Twiston-Davies has ridden two of the last six.
Twelve months ago, in 2020 we saw the Colin Tizzard yard win their second success since 2016 with a horse called Mister Malarky and if this 8 year-old lines-up again he’ll be looking to become the first horse since Docklands Express (1991-92) to win this prize in back-to-back years. Although, it’s worth pointing out, the popular grey – Nacarat – did take this race in 2009 and again in 2012.
Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra February 2021-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton