Tricker is winter warmer for Moore
The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham is the target for Harry Tricker in the wake of his impressive success in the second division of the Blackmore Borley Maiden Hurdle at Plumpton.
A 125,000 guinea purchase off the Flat, the four-year-old quickened up to put four and a half lengths between himself and the promising Star Of Angels as he completed a double for trainer Gary Moore’s son, Jamie.
Moore senior said of the 6-5 favourite: “He was a bit disappointing when I fancied him first time out at Ludlow, where he just needed it.
“Then he ducked down the chute at Fontwell while he hated the ground in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock.
“When I got him home he quickly showed me he’d taken his race well and I really think he’s only just coming to himself.”
Jamie Moore had struck in the previous Whippers Delight Novices’ Handicap Chase on Buckland Gold (5-1), a welcome winner for trainer Gardie Grissell.
The combination were always travelling kindly and stormed eight lengths clear of Noble Bily over the last two fences.
Grissell said: “He’s much better treated over fences than hurdles and has taken advantage of it, while he worked well in the cheekpieces the other day.
“Sadly his owner Ros Hepburn will soon be moving into a care home which means this horse will be on the market, but I do think he can win a similar race.”
The riding honours were shared between Moore and Aidan Coleman, who himself delivered on Pentasilea (9-2) and Aberdeen Park (15-8 favourite).
On Pentasilea in the first division of the Blackmore Borley Maiden Hurdle, Coleman helped give Sarah Humphrey a first winner since getting her full licence last week and a third of the season.
The combination proved nine lengths too powerful for Eastwell Smiles, although this did not look as warm a race as the one Harry Tricker won.
Coleman scored for his boss Venetia Williams when steering Aberdeen Park to a clear-cut triumph over Phardessa in the Tetley’s Mares Only Handicap Hurdle.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Georges Boy (11-2) as he made every yard in the Windsor Partners Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase, with late substitute Alex Merriam keeping his mount going in the gamest fashion to score by eight lengths from Celebrity Call.
Winning trainer Peter Jones said: “He was left a bit when the tapes went up at Chepstow on Saturday and was unable to dominate as he likes to do.”
Jamie Poulton sent out a first winner since returning to his old yard near Lewes when Wheres Johnny (7-2) took advantage of the final-flight fall of Canalturn to land the Carlsberg Maiden Hurdle under Mattie Batchelor.
Poulton, who recently vacated premises at Whitcombe, said: “Mattie was confident he would have picked up the other horse anyway. I think he’ll improve again on better ground and will make a nice three-mile chaser over fences.”
There was an exciting climax to the Bright 106.4 Handicap Hurdle when 16-1 shot Carly Bay held Barodine for the Gerry Enright/Warren Marston combination.
