Newbury - 13:20
Get Best Odds Guaranteed @ Bet Victors Veterans Handicap Chase
Number of Runners: 7
Distance: 3m 2f
Going: Heavy
Highland Hunter got the job done, beating Fortescue by 4 1/4 lengths. Omar Maretti stayed on to get 3rd, 13 1/4 lengths behind Highland Hunter. The favourite Copperhead had a bad jump at the 11th, recovered well and stays on after a good jump over fence 17, but could not make up enough pace to challenge.
Highland Hunter, rode by Paddy Brennan, sat behind Commodore as he led them around the track. Highland Hunter headed Commodore at the 8th fence. Paddy Brennan kept him cruising along and had 5 lengths in hand, jumping the 4th to last. Shaken up two out and stayed on gamely to score a nice victory.
This is also a victory for racing. Whilst under the training of Paul Nicholls, Highland Hunter was the favourite of upcoming jockey Keegan Kirkby. Keegan sadly lost his life due to an accident in a point-to-point race in Charing. Highland Hunter's owners, Nic and Lindsey Brennan have made the wonderfully kind gesture to take Highland Hunter to Keegan's funeral to lead the procession in the coming week. A brilliant but bittersweet win for those who knew and loved Keegan, a great way to remember a great young horse-man.
Paddy Brennan stated in his interview after the race with Sky Sports that his "most important job for today was bringing him home safe for that" (Keegan's funeral).
Kelso - 14:50
Bet365 Morebattle Hurdle
Runners: 17
Distance: 2m
Going: Good to Soft
After Under Control was declared a non-runner for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner John P. McManus, Skycutter became the bookie's favourite at 7/2. Skycutter, trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Tristan Durrell, claiming three pounds, filling in for Harry Skelton, who was racing elsewhere.
It was a slow start to the race as N'golo, trained by Patrick Neville, took the others along. The race opened up at three out from the finish, N'golo weakened out and the market leaders came to the forefront of the race.
Derek Fox soon led over three out on Caithness (20/1), followed by Anyharminasking (12/1), The Churchill Lad (25/1), Skycutter (7/2 FAV), Ginger Mail (16/1) and Cracking Rhapsody (9/1).
Cracking Rhapsody, rode well by Craig Nichol, wandered around before jumping the last, but put in a great effort over the hurdle and ran clear to the line. Cracking Rhapsody ran on strongly, winning by a good 4 1/2 lengths over Ginger Mail and 7 1/4 over the favourite, Skycutter, to win the 2024 Bet365 Morebattle Hurdle.
A big win for trainer Ewan Williams and owners J. D. Wright and Mrs S. Wright. Congratulations to all connections of Cracking Rhapsody.
Doncaster - 15:40
The Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
Runners: 10
Distance: 3m 2f
Going: Soft
Half Shot (9/1), ridden by Henry Brooke and trained by Iain Jardine, led the opening portion of the race. He was followed by David Bass on Does He Know (20/1), and Lee Edwards on Docpickedme (10/1).
The race continued in this way until the 13th fence. Hidden Heroics (14/1) and Flash Collonges (25/1) were never travelling or in a good jumping rhythm.
The favourite, Some Scope (3/1 FAV), trained by Richard Hobson and ridden by Gavin Sheehan, looked to be cruising behind Does He Know, but both were not fluent. Two out from the line, David Bass asked for a big jump from Does He Know and the horse responded, flying the last and running on well to win. Some Scope lost ground after a poor last jump, coming in 2nd.
Kim Bailey, the trainer of Does He Know, has now won this race three times as a trainer, getting a great result for the Yes He Does Syndicate.
In a surprising turn of events, only two out of ten starters finished the race, meaning eight runners were pulled up with no falls.
All in all, a classic day of great jumps racing, seeing some big-priced winners and lots of mud! Next week will be covering all the latest news for Cheltenham Festival and discussing Constitution Hill's entry, which is possibly in doubt.
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