Lungo's Skipper calls the tune
A crack at the Towton Novices’ Chase could be next on the agenda for Skippers Brig after he maintained his unbeaten status over fences at Carlisle.
Soft ground is crucial regarding future plans for the seven-year-old, but trainer Len Lungo is eyeing the Wetherby event for the seven-year-old after he trotted up in the Pack Horse Inn Celebrating Wilke’s 60th Novices’ Chase.
He returned from a layoff to score at the Cumbrian venue last month, and after a deluge of rain he followed up as the well-backed 15-8 favourite.
The 10 runners were buffeted by strong winds throughout, but Wilson Renwick’s mount was unaffected and finished powerfully up the hill to hold on from the strong finishing Chief Dan George.
Lungo said: “We are delighted with him as he is now two from over fences, and has won there with a penalty.
“He must have soft ground and that will dictate plans. We’ll have to think about where to go but the Towton or another race back here in February are options.”
Howard Johnson’s Toy Gun was another to follow up a recent course victory as a fine round of jumping brought him home in the three-mile Azure Catering Handicap Chase.
The 9-4 joint-favourite enjoyed a lead from market rival Nelliedonethat for most of the way, before collaring the front-runner over the final obstacle and clearing away to pass the judge 11 lengths clear.
Johnson’s assistant Ray Hawkey said: “He was a bit sticky jumping when he first came to us with but he didn’t touch a twig there, and he loves that heavy ground.”
Royal Mackintosh has a pronounced affinity for the Blackwell circuit and registered his third victory around the undulations in the marathon Dobies Vauxhall Handicap Chase.
Alan Mactaggart’s 13-8 favourite was a dual winner at Carlisle in the spring, and after a second-place finish here in October he picked up the winning thread again under Brian Harding.
Ballyvoge was ready to give him a fight and the pair jumped the second-last upsides, but Royal Mackintosh soon got the better of the argument and kicked away for an 11-length victory.
Mactaggart commented: “He stays forever and this was a nice race for him – he always travels well around here.”
Ailie Tullie’s Kelso specialist More Likely transferred her ability south of the Border to claim the Eddie Shimmings Mares’ Handicap Chase under a fine front-running ride from Ryan Mania.
The 7-2 chance jumped soundly in the testing conditions and always held a healthy advantage over the field to cross the line six-lengths clear.
Tullie said: “We have had the family since the 1920’s, and like her they are all tough.
“She has never won off that mark before, and she has now proved she can win away from Kelso!”
Mania went on to take the Cleanevent Handicap Chase aboard Norminster (5-2), while Cartmel trainer Jimmy Moffat provided a 16-1 surprise with Lago in the Northern Racing Club Handicap Chase.
