Relief for King as Hutchinson hops to it
Hutchinson, attached to Alan King’s yard, is making a name for himself all over again after recovering from a serious knee injury and his win on Oh Crick in the Grand Annual last week was a vitally important one for the stable.
King had four seconds at the showpiece meeting, including red-hot Ryanair favourite Voy Por Ustedes, and there was plenty of relief as Hutchinson drove home David Sewell’s novice.
And while Long Hop’s victory over Bench Warrent in the Orchard Portman Handicap Hurdle came at a much lower level, the owner, trainer and jockey will never say no to a winner.
“I put the silks on again today and thankfully we’ve gone and done it again so I’m delighted,” said Hutchinson after the 7-2 success.
He added: “It’s what you dream of as a kid to ride a winner at the Festival and it still probably hasn’t sunk in yet, I was thrilled.”
Hutchinson usually has to ride Robert Thornton’s left-overs but despite the stable number one being present, King employed Hutchinson.
He went on: “I don’t know how I rode him and not Choc (Thornton), it’s very much a team game, I don’t ask many questions and just keep my head down and grab opportunities when I can.”
Nick Williams was not so fortunate at the Festival, however.
His Cornas travelled well for a long way in the Arkle before fading to finish seventh, Maljimar was denied by the brilliance of AP McCoy in the William Hill Chase and Diamond Harry lost his unbeaten record in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
But running in the same colours as Diamond Harry, Quasar D’Oudairies (7-2) ran out a cosy winner of the Staple Fitzpaine Handicap Hurdle.
He was given an ultra-confident ride by Daryl Jacob, who came in for criticism in some quarters last week when beaten on Maljimar.
“We’ve had a few seconds and thirds recently so it’s nice to win one,” said Williams.
“We went so close last week with Maljimar and Diamond Harry but we always knew we could come to Taunton and this was our last chance – a retrieval mission.
“I got a bit irritated about the criticism Daryl got for the ride because I couldn’t see what he did wrong.”
Philip Hobbs went without a Festival winner last week but his string remain in good form as he saddled a short-priced treble at Taunton, and also a double at Hereford.
Yetholm (5-4 favourite) confirmed the promise of two previous runs over timber in the Armada Dental Practice Novices’ Hurdle.
“He did it well really well, he stayed on very well,” said Hobbs.
“He was a little bit tapped for toe around the bottom bend so probably a bit further might help.”
The Minehead trainer was also on the mark with 1-4 favourite Leading Contender in the Orchard Restaurant Beginners’ Chase, and Giordano Bruno (evens) in the Corfe Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
All three were ridden by 5lb conditional Rhys Flint, who said: “Mr Hobbs has been very good to me and given me an opportunity with a good book of rides today.”
