Quantitativeeasing takes Novices' Chase at Fontwell
Nicky Henderson's Quantitativeeasing got his career back on track with a ready success in the Hardings Catering Novices' Chase at Fontwell today.
The contest saw the notable comeback of fellow JP McManus-owned gelding and dual Grade One-winning hurdler Straw Bear, but retained jockey Tony McCoy went for Quantitativeeasing and was proved correct.
The 8-11 favourite disappointed on his chasing debut at Cheltenham, but jumped efficiently in this lesser event and always appeared to have matter in hand, scoring by six lengths from Fruity O'Rooney.
Straw Bear, making his first appearance in over a year, jumped adequately and was not disgraced in third.
"He jumped well but the other two horses in front of me (Fruity O'Rooney and Prescelli) were never going," said the champion jockey.
"They were niggling along very early and my horse probably liked the ground better than they did.
"He was very disappointing the last day at Cheltenham and he had to win this kind of race, but it's nice that he's done it."
There was further reward for odds-on backers in the Hardings Catering Novices' Handicap Hurdle as the Richard Phillips-trained 8-11 shot Eastwell Smiles secured his second win within a week.
The blinkered grey ploughed through the mud in the hands of Richard Johnson and had nearest pursuer Autumm Spirit 49 lengths behind at the line.
"It was a good performance with all that weight on his back and we're delighted with him," said Phillips.
"The owners have been good supporters of mine and he obviously handles this ground better than others.
"He's definitely got the stamina for it.
"He's entered in Ascot sales next Tuesday, so we'll take a view."
Richard Rowe's Half Cocked justified strong market support by making every yard of the running in the Docker Hughes Memorial Novices' Hurdle.
Andrew Thornton's mount went off at 11-1 for the three-mile-three-furlong slog, but had been available at around double those odds in the morning.
Ridden positively, the nine-year-old had most of his rivals cooked a long way from home and he safely negotiated the flights along the straight to score by 18 lengths from Saintly Lady.
"The horse had been working well at home and we knew he would stay," said Rowe.
"His bumper form was quite good and he ran well in his first two races this season.
"I certainly didn't back him. A few of the owners had small bets on him and on a day like today, it wouldn't take a lot of money to move the price.
"He's picked up quite a nasty cut, so we'll have to see how that goes over the next few days, but all being well, he'll be out again in around three weeks.
"I'm not going to rush him, though, as he's a chaser in the making."
Abbey Dore claimed the Hardings Catering Handicap Chase for trainer Seamus Mullins and jockey Jimmy Derham.
The 85-40 favourite travelled with plenty of zest throughout and had far too many guns for Topless, who was 18 lengths back in second.
The owner's representative and former trainer Toby Balding said: "He's been an admirable servant and more importantly he keeps improving and keeps jumping.
"He handles the ground and he's not the finished article just yet."
Can't Remember battled to victory in the Hardings Catering Handicap Hurdle as conditions deteriorated.
The 9-2 chance and Jordan, the 13-8 favourite, had it between them a long way from home, but it was Can't Remember who found most under Oliver Dayman for a comfortable victory.
Roi De Rose (15-8 favourite), a multiple scorer in Switzerland, secured his first win for David Pipe in the Hardings Catering Handicap Chase.
The Hardings Catering Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race brought proceedings to a close, with Diana Grissell's Arbeo (8-1) making a most impressive racecourse debut under Sam Thomas.
