'Rodeo' Guerriero shines

Josh Guerriero was forced into a decent impression of a rodeo rider when the saddle slipped on Exmoor Ranger at Newbury, but the gifted amateur still managed to cling on to victory.

A number of top trainers have made use of Guerriero this season and it was quite appropriate for his performance to come in the Racing Post “Hands And Heels” Jump Series Finale Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, designed to showcase young talent.

The teenager was in the process of settling the contest until a final flight wobble which gave Your Amount another chance.

But although he was holding on for dear life to the 4-1 favourite Exmoor Ranger by the post, the partnership remained intact.

“I went to pop him over, but he skewed a bit and I suddenly felt the saddle going,” said Guerriero, who is based with Philip Hobbs but was teaming up with Victor Dartnall here.

“I still had my feet in the irons but I couldn’t move them. All the way up the run-in I thought I was going to fall off, but somehow I managed to stay on.”

Considering his future, he added: “I’ll probably turn professional, but I’m not the smallest lad and I may struggle with my weight.”

The series overall had already been wrapped up by Kevin Tobin.

Despite falling in the doldrum period between the festivals of Cheltenham and Aintree, there was still equine talent on show.

Most notable was Island Flyer (7-1 co-favourite), who floated over his fences in the Montpelier Re Novices’ Handicap Chase.

This was a further step up the ladder for the six-year-old from his victories at Wincanton and at this course at the start of the month.

Carrying a 7lb penalty, he was soon in command for Paddy Brennan and had perhaps just been on his own in front for too long as Appleaday closed the advantage to a length by the post.

“He just loves jumping and always seemed to have things under control,” said handler Tom George, who was mobbed by owners from the Thoroughbred Ladies including novelist Jilly Cooper.

“I suppose we’ll have to step him up again if we run him once more this season, but it would be nice to think he’ll be in decent races this time next year.”

The award for effort went to the lion-hearted Very Cool (9-2), who refused to yield in the Berkshire Stand Bookshop Novices’ Hurdle.

Like many others from the ’Cool’ dynasty, bred and owned by Nicholas and Sue Mills and trained by Martin or David Pipe, the diminutive gelding set off on his own.

In the course of a gruelling three-mile test, he saw off Nevada Royale, then Starburst Diamond and Crank Hill before just repelling the final thrust of Theatre Dance.

David Pipe said: “That was a very brave performance in those conditions.

“He’s not the quickest but he keeps galloping.”

Rider Johnny Farrelly was penalised for his efforts with a two-day whip ban (April 11-12)

With morning showers rendering the ground pretty testing, the Sabin Du Loir Memorial Maiden Hurdle was always going to be another slog.

Jumping the last Canalturn had the advantage over Ballydub (8-1) with the pair leagues ahead of their rivals but the latter finished slightly quicker and got the verdict by a neck on his first run since moving to Philip Hobbs from Henrietta Knight.

“We bought him at the Cheltenham sale in January and that was very pleasing,” explained Hobbs.

“Chasing next year is his job so we’re not bothered about losing his novice tag for hurdles.”

Hobbs and jockey Richard Johnson teamed up again with Motorway (7-1) who regained the Boundary Metal Handicap Hurdle he won in 2006.

Injury has restricted his career since but he was back to his street-fighting best in overhauling Panjo Bere.

“He had ’carpal tunnel’ syndrome (a nerve problem) which has kept him out for a year and he wants better ground so I didn’t really fancy him,” said Hobbs.

“There’s a nice handicap hurdle at Cheltenham next month which we might look at.”

Take The Stand (4-1), once second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, turned the Montpelier Re Hunters’ Chase into a procession.

Another Cotswold link came in the Sporting Index “Junior” Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Taken 12 months ago by Donald McCain’s subsequent winner of the inaugural David Nicholson Mares event Whiteoak, the prize remains in the same trainer’s hands through debutant Son Of Flicka (14-1).

She wore down the runaway leader Simply Blue.