D'Or way ahead at Hereford
Travel problems proved fortuitous for Omix D'Or as the grey was rerouted from Fontwell to Hereford 24 hours later and emerged victorious in the Matthew Clark Novices' Handicap Chase today.
Trainer James Evans had been expecting fireworks from the eight-year-old on the south coast but that plan was aborted, forcing connections to switch to Herefordshire.
The 100-30 chance only faced three rivals in his second preference and with Gilsland blundering his way out of contention and 13-8 favourite Brimham Boy pulling up, David Dennis' mount had little trouble accounting for Tuskar Rock by five lengths.
Evans said: "We fancied him at Fontwell but there was a problem with the trailer and he had to come home.
"This was our second option so we had to re-route and that performance was very exciting.
"His jumping was sketchy at times but I thought he would stay and hopefully he can go on from here.
"There is a race for him at the Perth festival at the end of April and he may go there."
Cracboumwiz had failed to complete on his two previous outings over fences but made it third-time lucky when facing a depleted field in the Matthew Clark Novices' Chase.
Two of the five runners were pulled out prior to the off, and with market rival Classic Dream breaking down mid-race, Alan King's 11-10 chance had nothing more than a schooling session under Christian Williams.
The jockey said: "That was nice for him and the more he jumped the happier I was with him.
"We only went half-speed and they can jump well going that quick as it is not racing pace.
"It is nice for these horses who have fallen to do that - he got into a rhythm and away he went."
Dai Burchell followed up a winner on the all-weather at Wolverhampton on Monday as Ring For Time upset the apple cart in the Lindley Catering "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.
Tony McCoy travelled to the track for one ride aboard Nicky Henderson's Shakalakaboomboom, but the champion jockey came off second best as Burchell's 8-1 chance denied the 6-5 favourite by a length and a half.
Burchell said: "We gave her a rest and the plan was to bring her back for summer jumping.
"She handled conditions and does want further, so the ground brought out her stamina.
"She will be back out again in three weeks and we can then kick on into the summer."
Peter Pritchard's decision to turn out Earcomesthedream just eight days after cashing in his chips at Southwell was vindicated as the seven-year-old landed the Lindley Catering At Hereford Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.
Tom Siddall had the 13-2 chance never worse than mid-division and brought him through to win the race approaching the final flight for a resounding success.
Pritchard said: "He only won last week but was 2lb well-in so we decided to run and I am pleased he has managed to do it again.
"He is tough, doesn't do any more than he is asked and goes on any ground."
Carrig An Uisce finally broke his duck at the 16th attempt when obliging as the 15-8 favourite in the Lindley Catering Handicap Hurdle.
Trainer Anna Brooks said: "I have had him a couple of years and it has been tough, but this looked a weak race so we had to try and win it."
Venetia Williams' Flanagan went nicely clear in the Lindley Catering Maiden Hurdle as the 6-4 favourite, while 3-1 market leader Abbey Dore came from off the pace to score in the Lindley Catering Handicap Chase.
