Double boost for Sherwood
Simon Sherwood came out of the shadows thanks to a 79-1 double at Leicester today – his first winners for 199 days.
The Worcestershire trainer, who only has a small string these days, struck with Isard Du Buard and Laurier D’Estruval.
Isard Du Buard ended Sherwood’s lean spell by winning an eventful race for the iBetX.com Wizard of Aus Novices’ Handicap Chase.
The 22-1 outsider had two serious rivals coming to the second last and was left clear when Silent Gunner fell.
The leader then made a hash of the final fence before going on to win by 19 lengths from Woodenbridge Dream when only five of the 16 starters completed the course.
“It was a bad old race, we had a bit of luck, he loves this ground and jumped alright,” said Sherwood.
As for his long time without a winner, he added: “I’ve only got 10 or 12 horses. I do more buying and selling now which I enjoy. The horses have been knocking on the door and that’s as good as they are.”
Joe Tizzard rode both horses and is now one short of 50 winners for the season after steering Laurier D’Estruval to victory in the iBetxtra.extra Classified Chase.
The well-backed 5-2 favourite won cosily by eight lengths from Polished much to Sherwood’s relief.
Said the trainer: “We’ve tried several distances with him and had him tongue tied which he didn’t like. We dropped him back to two miles today but it was a bad race.”
A change of stables looks to have done the trick for Ibal who recorded his first success for two years.
Winner of the 2001 Imperial Cup over hurdles at Sandown when trained by Dina Smith, he looked to have a bright future over fences winning twice but then lost his way.
Owners Tony Hayward and Barry Fulton decided eight weeks ago to take Ibal back to Paul Nicholls, who trained the horse in his early days.
Tongue-tied for the first time, the 7-4 favourite jumped into the lead two out and when his main rival Jordans Lad fell at the last, he came home by eight lengths from Impertio.
“He was a lovely horse on heavy ground who lost his way,” said Hayward.
“He has come down the handicap a lot but didn’t look too good on today’s performance. Let’s hope this has done his confidence a world of good and he can go forward.”
Meggie’s Beau took advantage of 11-10 favourite Headliner’s exit at the second last fence to take the iBetX.com Life Is A Gamble Novices’ Chase.
Although there was little to choose between those two and Cionn Mhalanna at that obstacle, Headliner was going best, being on a tight reign for Timmy Murphy.
However, he hit the fence hard, giving Murphy no chance of staying in the saddle and allowed Meggie’s Beau (4-1) to win by three and a half lengths in the hands of 5lb claimer Lee Stephens.
“Let’s hope the handicapper thinks we were fortunate to win – it’s hard to know,” said trainer Venetia Williams.
“Approaching the ditch Lee said that another horse came right across him causing him to lose a lot of ground so he might have been an unlucky loser had he come down.”
Dollar Law repaid trainer Richard Price’s faith by landing his first win since returning from a serious injury.
Two years ago the horse was almost put down after severing 90per cent of his tendons when brought down in a race at Bangor but Price ignored the vet’s advice.
After 18 months on the sidelines Dollar Law made his comeback complete with a brave performance in the Welcome To iBetX.com Day Beginners’ Chase.
Leading between the last two fences, the 12-1 chance had to dig deep to hold off Iambe De La See by a neck.
“He’s come back and thoroughly deserved to win. He’s not the easiest horse to train and he’s got a mind of his own,” said Price.
The disappointment of the race was 5-4 favourite Croix De Guerre who was eventually pulled up after a lacklustre display. Connections were unable to provide an explanation for the poor display and the stewards ordered the horse to be routinely tested.
Hazeljack may have earned a trip to Aintree for the John Smith’s Topham Chase after putting up a game display to win the Go Down Under With iBetX.com Handicap Chase.
The 7-2 shot stayed on dourly to hold the top weight Rudolf Rassendyll by five lengths.
“He was outclassed at Lingfield last time but at least that race put him spot on for today,” said trainer Arthur Whiting. “He could not have been right when he ran badly at Folkestone the time before. The Topham at Aintree is now a possibility.”
