Right Royal performance

Royal Rosa continued on the comeback trail with a convincing success in the One Man Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

Having missed all last season because of a leg injury, the chestnut returned to action at Carlisle three weeks ago when finishing runner-up to According To John.

He clearly benefited from that run and with the field for the £20,000 two-and-a-half mile test down to three when Roobihoo was withdrawn at on vet’s advice down at the start, Paddy Brennan sent him straight to the front.

He made all the running and although L’Antartique gamely gave chase up the straight, the seven-year-old, carrying the Graham Wylie colours, was always keeping on just too well for him and the 4-9 favourite won by nine lengths.

They were the only finishers as Livingonaknifedge fell four out out and his rider David Dennis was taken to Harrogate District Hospital for X-rays on his back.

Winning trainer Howard Johnson said: “We took a chance with him, he had a hard race at Carlisle first time out and he would usually have six weeks off, but we have brought him back after only 20 days.

“He has to have some juice in the ground and he wants three miles or more really, and we could have done with a bigger field and a strong gallop.

“Paddy said there is a big, big day in this horse and I think he could by a SunAlliance Chase horse, but we won’t run him again now until January time.”

Brennan added: “It was a tactical affair with only three runners, but I was pleased with the way he has done it.”

Royal Rosa was cut to 20-1 from 25-1 with totesport for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Ferdy Murphy said of L’Antartique: “That was a good run, three miles suits him bette and at least we have got some more experience into him.”

Coat Of Honour completed a short-priced double for the Royal Rosa connections in the Wetherby Racecourse Exhibition Centre Handicap Chase.

The 6-4 favourite proved two and a half lengths too good for Jurado Express and Wylie said: “He seems to like it around here and he has done very well for us.”

Tim Easterby and Russ Garritty, who is riding as well as ever at the age of 41, were also in double form at odds of 118-1.

Lease Lend caused an upset at 33-1 in the bumper before Silver Knight (5-2 favourite) was a rather more obvious winner of the totesport.com Handicap Chase for the second year running.

Easterby said: “Lease Lend has a really good temperament and we will probably go hurdling with him in the spring.

“Silver Knight is a grand servant, but you can’t get him ready at home, he wants racing and a big galloping track.”

Trainer Pat Haslam’s wife Ann was full of praise for jockey Paddy Merrigan after watching him bring Heraldry (7-2) home in front in the Trust & Deal Locally at Benfield Ford Novices’ Hurdle.

There was nothing between Allistathebarrista, Lord Collingwood and Heraldry at the final flight, but the latter soon took command and drew away to pass the post with four lengths to spare.

Mrs Haslam said: “Paddy gave the horse a great ride, he kept him interested and they have done it well. Heraldry was a bit novicey, but it was only his second run over hurdles and he will get better and loved the ground – our horses are running well.”

Sue Smith has her team in good form too and Ever So Slightly (7-2) added to her tally when taking the Mick & Sue Penrose 60th Birthday Celebration Novices’ Handicap Hurdle in dramatic fashion.

He made up several lengths from the last flight under conditional Michael O’Connell to collar the Irish raider Florazine in the last stride for a short-head verdict.

Smith said: “To be honest Ever So Slightly was not handling the ground so I was very pleased with his resolution in the closing stages.

“Michael said he couldn’t stay with them when they quickened down the back and I think he will get three miles on better ground.”

Keith Reveley pulled off a one-two in the Lucy Marries The Mackem Handicap Hurdle.

Into The Shadows (7-2) quickened to lead approaching the final flight under Richard McGrath and stayed on to beat Totally Scottish, ridden by the trainer’s son James, by a length and a half.

Reveley said: “I was a bit worried about the trip (two and a half miles) in this ground but she got it easy.

“I was going to run her in a 0-130 handicap at Kempton the day after Boxing Day but she may not get in now – I was pleased with Totally Scottish too, I thought he wasn’t that well handicapped.”