Monk sparkles in season finale
In a season dominated by new champions like Katchit, Master Minded and Denman, the final major race of the National Hunt campaign went the way of an old timer.
Monkerhostin had not been successful since beating Kauto Star in the Haldon Gold Cup back in November 2005 and while there had been some top-class efforts in defeat since then, his best days appeared to be behind him.
Philip Hobbs’ chaser was pulled up in a handicap at the Cheltenham Festival and retirement must have been considered for the 11-year-old but sent off at 25-1 in the bet365 Gold Cup, he rolled back the years with an accomplished display.
For one moment it looked as if Paul Nicholls, who has dominated to such an extent he broke through the £4million prize money barrier, was going to also land the end-of-season showpiece.
But his two runners, Royal Auclair and Hoo La Baloo had to settle for minor honours, along with last week’s Scottish National victor Iris De Balme who proved that win was no fluke in fourth.
It has been a bit of a disappointing year for Hobbs with top hurdler Detroit City sadly lost early in the campaign, last year’s Ballymore Properties winner Massini’s Maguire absent through injury and Fair Along just falling short of top class.
Hobbs’ wife Sarah, said: “We have had an awful season really. We have had over 100 winners and got over £1m (€1.2m) in prize money but have had no big wins.
“He has been very consistent, but didn’t run very well at Cheltenham. He came back and we had him scoped and tested. We had him treated after that and he has come back to form today.
“He still retains plenty of enthusiasm and you certainly couldn’t retire him after that.”
There was a sad postscript to the race, however, with Grand National fifth Bewleys Berry likely to have raced for the last time after breaking down badly on the second circuit.
Nicholls may have been out of luck in the feature event but he could not be kept out of the number one spot for long as Andreas comfortably landed the bet365.com Celebration Chase under Ruby Walsh.
The pair also teamed up earlier in the day when Poquelin won the Bet365 Hurdle.
Nicholls said: “This is incredible. That puts Ruby on 200 winners overall in Ireland and Britain – he is just on fire at the moment – and it takes us past £4m (€5m) in prize money in Britain and Ireland.
“He deserves to win a decent race. He did win the Grand Annual last year, but then fractured a knee and spent a lot of time in his box. We didn’t think we’d get him back at one stage, but we did and it has worked out perfect.”
On a mixed card, the best of the Flat action was highlighted by John Gosden’s Centennial who won the bet365.com Classic Trial.
Progressive at two, he was second in better company in France on his final start last season but opened up this campaign with a gritty display which did not impress the bookmakers too much in terms of the Derby but pleased his trainer.
It is not an unusual stepping stone for Gosden who has a great record in the race and his Benny The Dip was beaten in it before winning the Derby itself in 1997.
“I’m very satisfied,” said Gosden. “The four other winners of this had been primed for it, with a run before to get them right.
“Today was just the start for this horse and I think he will come on significantly for it.
“He’s only worked alongside other horses and Jimmy Fortune’s comment was that he’ll get better with age.
“I think we’ll probably go for the Dante where we’ll be taking on a certain very talented horse called Twice Over. Otherwise we’ll take a look at the Derby Trial at Lingfield.”
Richard Hannon’s Major Cadeaux handled the step up to a mile with aplomb in the Bet 365 Mile and the Lockinge is likely to be his next port of call.
Aidan O’Brien dominated Sunday’s proceedings with Duke Of Marmalade scoring a first Group One victory in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp, while dual Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats made a winning bow in Navan’s Listed Vintage Crop Stakes.
