Ascot Racecourse, Berks
HARRY COBDEN served up a championship-worthy riding performance, taking the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase by the scruff of the neck, to seal victory on the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy in the final top-level contest before the Cheltenham Festival.
Cobden, who now leads the jump jockeys’ title race (see box, below), confidently urged the De la Heys’ nine-year-old son of Turgeon into an early, unassailable lead and the jockey relayed afterwards that he knew he had the race won as early as the second fence.
The duo were propelled further by some soaring leaps over Ascot’s formidable birch and with an eye-catching turn of foot over the gelding’s preferred 2m 5f, they dictated throughout, extending their advantage to win by 5½ lengths with the thrilled jockey punching the air.
Their nearest rival was the Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse (Charlie Deutsch), still on the comeback trail after 13 months on the sidelines and who never actually challenged the leader. However, the gelding will be far better suited in the longer Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup next month, for which he is fifth favourite behind market leader Galopin Des Champs.
The also Cheltenham-bound Ahoy Senor finished third for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox, ahead of Sail Away for Dan and Harry Skelton, who collected a valuable £9,327 in fourth.
Denne historien er fra February 22, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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
Denne historien er fra February 22, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
