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
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change