Lord Of The Hill completes quick double
The gelding, who landed the Moore Scott Novices’ Handicap Chase at Ludlow yesterday, could be out for the hat-trick at Newbury on Sunday.
The confirmed front-runner jumped better than ever under Robert Thornton to come home 12 lengths clear of top weight Veneguera with Dalton delighted she made the decision to run her charge as quick after his win at Hereford last Thursday.
Dalton said: “I’ve never seen him jump as well and I had been worried about running him so soon after Hereford but we had to because we needed to take advantage of the quicker ground.
“It it’s anywhere near as quick at Newbury and the horse is all right he’ll run again on Sunday.
Channahrlie is having a similarly fruitful time and the grey readily completed a hat trick for Robin Dickin in the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Challenge Trophy Handicap Chase.
Confidently handled by 21-year-old Tom Malone, the 13-8 favourite came home 18 lengths to the good over Blazing Batman.
Nicky Henderson received a boost for Irish Hussar, his big hope for the Hennessy, when Diamond Monroe held the persistent challenge of Sloane Street by three-quarters of a length in the Tanners Wines Handicap Hurdle.
Those who accommodated the long odds laid on Rodalko in the Alfa Aggregates Products Novices’ Chase had their hearts in their mouths on a couple of occasions including the third last which the strapping five-year-old took by its roots.
Tony McCoy sat tight on the Oliver Sherwood-trained gelding who was far too good for Home Made, scoring by five lengths.
This victory provided Rodalko with consolation for his fall at Kempton last week.
Sherwood said: “He clearly has a lot to learn in the jumping department but he’s only a five-year-old and has time on his side.
“Even though he’s French bred he actually likes this quicker ground and I’ll probably put him away and run him again in the spring.
Richard Johnson sported a black armband when partnering My Sharp Grey to a three-length triumph over Secret’s Out in the Michael Perrott Partnership Selling Hurdle in memory of Sarah Crayford, a groom with trainer Peter Bowen who was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday.
My Sharp Grey’s victory provided a boost for Gloucester trainer John Gallagher as the filly had unseated her rider when leading at the fifth flight in a similar contest at Leicester a week ago.
Gallagher went to 6,600 guineas to retain his winner at the auction.
Henrietta Knight ended the day in double form, winning the White Company Novices’ Hurdle with Balladeer (4-11) and the Dusty Miller Reigning Tipster Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race with Queen Soraya (2-1), both ridden by her stable jockey Jim Culloty.
After Balladeer had smoothly accounted for Araglin by 12 lengths, Knight said: “He’s got too high a rating for handicap hurdles in which he would struggle but even though he’s tiny I think he’s good enough a jumper to go novice chasing.”
Meanwhile, Intersky Falcon heads an impressive five-day entry of 18 for this Saturday’s Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle.
Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old took the Grade Two event in fine style last year, coming home six-lengths clear of The French Furze, who is also entered in this year’s renewal.
Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer is a member of the syndicate which owns Intersky Falcon.
In-form O’Neill may also run Australian recruit Specular who managed to score in eight of his 10 jumping starts.
Champion trainer Martin Pipe has three horses entered. They are Wincanton scorer Well Chief, Smurfit Champion Hurdle second Westender and last Friday’s Ascot winner Mr Cool is another possible.
Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle entries: Carole’s Dove, Castleshane, Chivalry, Geos,
Intersky Falcon, Latalomne, Mister McGoldrick, Mr Cool, Ontos, Rigmarole, Specular,
Sporazene, Sting Like A Bee, Teme Valley,
The French Furze, The Joker, Well Chief, Westender (18).
