Chepstow | geegeez.co.uk

Four on the day for Skelton means it is still game on for the title

21 April 2025/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Dan Skelton admitted to being been blown away by the level of support he has received during the trainers’ championship battle with Willie Mullins after forging £52,775 ahead with a four-timer on Easter Monday.

Two winners at Chepstow, one at Fakenham and a lucrative triumph for 14-1 shot Mostly Sunny at Plumpton helped the Warwickshire handler extend his advantage, having started the day £27,878 in front, albeit Mullins did have the last word with victory over Skelton in a precious Plumpton bumper.

“Last year, because there was never really any chance of us winning after Ayr, perhaps people didn’t really get into it, but this year, I’ve just felt a totally different feeling about it all,” Skelton told Sky Sports Racing.

“A wall of horses is coming over on Saturday (to Sandown) and I think it’s going to be very, very hard for us to resist them, but we’ll be doing our best and I’m enjoying it.

“We are having some great moments. I know they are not always on the biggest stage or anything like that, but they are great moments – we’re competitors and we’re just revved for it.

“The support this year, compared to last year, is totally different. Last year, we got plenty of support, especially within our own team, the owners and everything, but this year, those team members have been even more vociferous in their support and when you go to the races, it’s just ramped up a lot.

“You persuade yourself that it’s only the big ones that count, but it’s not, the little ones all add up, we’ve had a phenomenal year and if we get beat in the championship, nobody will have ever won as much money to be second – and we just hope that we don’t get beat. It’s exciting and we’ll see.

“I’ll be doing my best, we’ll be doing our best, and we’ll see if it’s possible, although like I say, I’m concerned about what might be coming on Saturday.”

Skelton got the day off to a flying start at Chepstow, where Deep Purple picked up just short of £4,248 with a 6-1 success under Charlie Todd after being left clear when the Paul Nicholls-trained Jakar Du Moulin unseated his rider two out.

Gwennie May Star disappointed for the Alcester handler when pulled up in Plumpton’s opener and Asta La Pasta could not land a blow in the valuable BetGoodwin Sussex Champion Chase Handicap Chase, but 18-5 favourite Westport Cove failed to fully capitalise for Mullins, fading late on to finish fourth for £6,080.

Wind River made a minor £471 gain for Skelton by finishing fourth at Fakenham but Doyouknowwhatimean’s Chepstow success was more significant, adding £6,337 to the tally.

Skelton’s Kenmya was out of the money at Fakenham and Real Stone only contributed £372 for a Chepstow sixth, but Skelton then struck a notable blow in the Southern Cranes Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton, with outsider Mostly Sunny storming home to claim the £23,764 first prize, while Mr Escobar bagged £5,468 in third for Mullins.

Lady Jago was a disappointing last of four at Plumpton for Skelton but still bagged £1,003 and Cusano came home strongly to snatch second at the same venue and another £4,010, while Claim Du Brizais netted £2,995 for striking in a Fakenham bumper.

A fascinating day finished in a fitting fashion when 4-5 favourite Emerald Poet obliged for Mullins in Plumpton’s BetGoodwin Free Bet On Nose Losers Open National Hunt Flat Race under Harry Cobden, earning £12,526 for fending off the challenge of Skelton’s Le Beau Madrik, who at least landed £5,771.

Harry Skelton partnered Mostly Sunny to victory in a success he clearly enjoyed. He said: “I’m just proud of everyone. I haven’t been here for five years and the crowd has been incredible, whether we win or lose.

“It’s good for racing and we’re in there chipping away, we’ll keep going, but we know what’s to come, we’re not too naive to ignore the force that Willie and his team have got, but the staff are behind us, the owners are behind us and the public, in the last few days, have been incredible.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve a bit and I’m loving it. Hopefully we can hang on, but whatever happens, we’re proud of the whole team and the horses are flying, it’s a testament to the team to keep them in that form throughout the year.”

Coral cut Mullins to 2-11 for the title from 1-4 and eased Skelton to 7-2 from 11-4.

Roving Reports: Data Driven Drizzle

10 February 2025/in Horse Racing Blog/by David Massey

It's a wet and cold Monday morning here in Nottingham, writes David Massey, and the news has just been announced that it's been the warmest January since they started measuring such things, which apparently was in 1919. As a slave to the data then of course - of course! - I believe the science when it tells me as such. It's just that the places I seem to have visited during that most miserable of months have managed to dodge any semblance of sunshine, as demonstrated by the fact I don't recall any tracks I attended having to miss out obstacles because of low sun.

I tell a lie - Doncaster on a Friday. Ah yes, I remember it well now. The warmth on the back of my neck as I wrote my notes about the brave and talented warriors about to contest the 0-100 handicap hurdle. A brief glimpse of potential spring, snatched away not two days later as I tried to make my way around a flooded Herefordshire.

Yes, I did one of my bi-annual excursions to the Welsh borders at the end of last month. After making a day trip to Cheltenham on the Saturday and remarking how much the water had receded around the Evesham area since my last visit, by the time Monday came back around it was starting to rise again, and quickly. I stayed in Worcester, by the cricket ground, on the Sunday night (although I didn't realise this until first light Monday morning, when the first thing I saw on opening the curtains was the Basil d'Oliveira Stand) and no sooner had I arrived there than the words "precautionary inspection" were uttered at Hereford, along with the phrase "cautiously optimistic". As I've said before, any clerk of the course using the word "optimistic" in an update should be fined five grand, and ten if they precede it with "cautiously". The BHA could, however, use that money to pay for trainer interviews, where famous Berkshire handler Willie Runnem-Ornot can tell us his horse has had a setback for the Cheltenham Festival, but he's "cautiously optimistic" he can get him back on track if Kempton will let the lad have a gallop round next Tuesday when there's no press about. That'll be two grand please. Cash in a brown envelope? Yes, that’ll do fine, thanks for coming along.

And so, early Monday, Hereford bites the dust, and I'm left in a hotel room in Worcester with little to do but look at an empty Graeme Hick stand and nowhere much to go. I'm tempted to hoik it up to Monmore Greyhounds for their afternoon meeting, but my next stop is Ross-on-Wye, in readiness for Chepstow on Tuesday, and I'd be heading the wrong way. I decide instead to do the sensible thing, and just do some pre-emptive Cheltenham writing whilst drinking more hotel coffee than is probably good for me.

The rain is still falling as I set off for Ross. A wise man would have gone back to the motorway at this point and stayed on the main roads but I'm a romantic idiot with time on my hands and decided to go the scenic route using the back roads. I'm glad I did, in some ways - stunning vistas as I drive in the shadow of the Malvern Hills and I also trundle past someone's training establishment - I still haven't worked out who it was - through one of the villages.

Then, about four or five miles out of Ross, there's trouble. I'm in a village where the only way through it is via a bridge, and that's flooded, badly. I stop and try to work out the situation. Gamble, drive through and potentially flood the engine, or (according to Google Maps) track back almost eight miles and add another half an hour to my journey time? I didn't need to wait long for an answer. A lorry goes past me and through the flood. It's deep, too deep. This is confirmed by a Range Rover who does the same, and barely gets through it. For once, common sense kicks in and I turn around. The Malverns look as lovely as they did twenty minutes ago from the reverse angle.

You know that feeling you get sometimes when you arrive somewhere and think "I've been here before, but I can't quite remember when?" - I get that as I pull up in Ross at my Premier Inn. I know I've been here, but I can't quite remember when, or why. Then it dawns on me. I came here once with a good friend a long, long time ago on the way back from our one and only trip to Ffos Las. We had dinner in the Beefeater next door and then a night of great sex in the hotel. Well, that's my recollection of things. She says we just had a poorly-cooked steak and the only pudding I got was sticky toffee before we hit the M50 half an hour later. I think she's probably right. I suspect I've let my imagination get the better of me. It was about ten years ago, after all. Anyway, I'm here again, and I ask the receptionist to book me into the (now) Travellers Rest next door for dinner.

"You'll have a job. The place closed months ago. It's derelict and being knocked down." That's the end of that, then. Serves them right for undercooking my steak.

There's a precautionary inspection at Chepstow tomorrow now. This journey could be a fairly expensive busted flush. However, some light emerges at the end of the tunnel, and for once it isn't an oncoming train.

To amuse myself whilst writing I've had an each-way Yankee at Plumpton and after a 25-1 winner (in a four-horse race too, all to win!) along with another winner and place it's looking pretty good. I'm offered a decent cash out. I never cash out. Never. But... the cash out would cover the price of the trip, and if Chepstow bit the dust tomorrow, it wouldn't matter too much. For the second time in a day, I do the sensible thing and cash out. Do I need to tell you what happened to the fourth selection? Of course I don't. It won half the track. The only consolation being I did have a few quid on as a single. Still, a bit gutting, although I remind myself the whole trip is now paid for if it all goes blank tomorrow. And as the rain falls down on a humdrum town, as The Smiths warbled back in 1984, it has to be said that looks a very likely scenario.

Tuesday morning. Miracle of miracles, Chepstow is somehow on. I'm actually going to get some racing.

I'm going with my friend Alex who I haven't seen in years. She awards herself the title of "Assistant Media Bitch" for the day, which not only suits her well, but could catch on elsewhere, I reckon. I know a few that would fit that title perfectly. Anyway, we have a cracking day, the highlight of which - for her - was making Richard Hoiles a cup of tea. "It won't get any better than that today", she excitedly shrieks. I manage to find a couple of losers before Royal Jewel digs me out, and then Lagertha is something of a paddock standout in the Mares Novice. It'll be a winning day, which is always nice. I don't have a penny on Jo Lescribaa but I'm delighted for my friend Andy who has a interest in her, and all in all it's been a really enjoyable trip despite the grim weather. Better still, it has rekindled Alex's love for a day at the races. She hasn't been for some time - "the game isn't the same as it was", she says, but I hope she will go racing, at least in midweek when it's a bit quieter, again in the near future. The drive home is a long one, but a call in at the ever-lovely Gloucester Services breaks it up.

Back to the present day. The app on my phone now tells me "Rain coming in under an hour." Any chance of a look at that weather data again, please? It's Leicester on Thursday and Haydock on Saturday for me this week. The Trackside bobble hat will be on, I can assure you. Say hello if you see me, or if it's as warm as the data says, Stop Me and Buy One. Either way, have a great week.

- DM

Racing abandoned at waterlogged Exeter

28 January 2025/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Wednesday’s meeting at Exeter has become the latest victim of the weather, with officials left with no option but to abandon the fixture due to a waterlogged track.

Off the back of the heavy rain of Storm Herminia, the racing programme has been interrupted this week, with Monday’s Hereford card, Leicester’s meeting on Wednesday and racing at Ffos Las on Thursday already called off.

Chepstow’s Tuesday fixture was given the go-ahead following a precautionary inspection, but the team at Exeter have made the early decision to draw stumps.

Exeter’s clerk of the course, Jason Loosemore, said: “I think we’ve had 92 millimetres of rain in total now since Friday and Sunday was probably the killer really because we had 40mm on Sunday.

“We had another 16mm yesterday (Monday) and it’s still raining here this morning. We’ve had 6mm this morning so far and it’s still raining away and it’s forecast for it to remain wet today.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday) doesn’t look as bad as first thought ironically, but nevertheless it’s still forecast to be a wet day and there is no chance of an improvement, so ultimately we’re not going to be in a different position this time tomorrow morning.

“It isn’t what we want but it is what we’ve got, sadly.”

The British Horseracing Authority has already put provisional plans in place for an all-chase card at Sandown on Saturday.

The Esher track will be subject to an inspection at 8am on Thursday, with the plan to come into place if the hurdles course is deemed unraceable. That would see three more contests over fences added, to make a six-race card.

If the meeting – which is due to host the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase – is able to proceed as originally scheduled with both chase and hurdle races, the three additional chases will be abandoned.

Chepstow lasts just two races after Plumpton is cancelled

5 January 2025/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Racing at Chepstow was abandoned after two races on Sunday, just hours after Plumpton’s BetGoodwin Sussex National meeting was called off despite passing a morning inspection.

Following a Saturday without any jumps or afternoon action, a full programme of National Hunt racing looked set to take place on Sunday after fixtures at Chepstow, Plumpton and Naas were all initially given the go-ahead following morning checks.

The team at Chepstow opted to take another look after an initial precautionary inspection at 7.30am and, with temperatures rising, the seven-race card passed a second inspection at 9am.

However, only two races would ultimately take place, with proceedings called off thereafter due to unsafe conditions.

Clerk of the course Dai Jones told Sky Sports Racing: “We had an inquiry before the first race with all the jockeys, trainers, doctors and vets and all the horse group there were happy to carry on.

“Unfortunately, just after that we had a fair shower and with the thawing out and everything else, it’s just the amount of water that we’ve had in the last hour, the jockeys have come back and said that in a couple of places, they felt it was just a little bit too wet and unsafe.

“At the end of the day, the welfare of the jockeys and the welfare of the horses, that’s got to be paramount, irrespective of how much we want to race. When they come back and you see the jockeys, we’ve got to take it in hand and listen.”

He added: “The last thing anybody wants is to bring people here and then not carry through, if at any stage this morning we thought that it wasn’t safe, like we did with the first inspection, we pushed it on an hour and a half, we would act.

“So we feel for everybody, but at the time the decisions were made, they were the right decisions. Unfortunately, the rain came in afterwards and we’re in this position we’re in – we do feel sorry for everybody but safety comes first.”

Officials at Plumpton announced a precautionary inspection for 8.30am ahead of one of the track’s most high-profile fixtures of the season due to the forecast for heavy rain overnight.

While 25mm of rain fell, racing was initially given the green light. However, less than two hours later, the meeting was called off due to waterlogging.

Clerk of the course Marcus Waters said: “We were predicted five millimetres of rain between 8.30am and midday, which we thought we could handle, but we were already on 7.5 millimetres just before 10am.

“That much rain in a short space of time has left us with a few areas of false ground and we didn’t think it was safe anymore.

“We’re very disappointed. At 8.30am, we felt we had a good chance with the forecast how it was, but we got more rain than expected and it’s pushed us over the edge.

“It’s always a hard decision and it would have been the same whatever meeting it was. We have our processes and it was just unfortunate that it’s happened on a big day.”

A seven-race card featuring the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle did go ahead at Naas, but further interruptions to the racing programme appear almost certain in the coming days, with more snow and freezing temperatures forecast.

On Monday, the jumps meeting at Ayr is subject to a precautionary inspection at 7am due to the threat of snow and temperatures as low as minus 2C, while officials at Ludlow will also inspect at 7am ahead of their fixture, with two inches of snow laying on the track on Sunday morning.

Leicester’s Tuesday card has already been abandoned due to waterlogging.

Plumpton called off due to waterlogging after morning rain

5 January 2025/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Despite passing an initial morning inspection, Plumpton’s BetGoodwin Sussex National meeting was abandoned on Sunday due to worsening conditions.

Officials announced a precautionary inspection for 8.30am ahead of one of the track’s most high-profile fixtures of the season due to the forecast of heavy rain overnight.

While 25mm of rain fell, racing was initially given the green light. However, less than two hours later, the meeting was called off due to waterlogging.

Clerk of the course Marcus Waters said: “We were predicted five millimetres of rain between 8.30am and midday, which we thought we could handle, but we were already on 7.5 millimetres just before 10am.

“That much rain in a short space of time has left us with a few areas of false ground and we didn’t think it was safe anymore.

“We’re very disappointed. At 8.30am, we felt we had a good chance with the forecast how it was, but we got more rain than expected and it’s pushed us over the edge.

“It’s always a hard decision and it would have been the same whatever meeting it was. We have our processes and it was just unfortunate that it’s happened on a big day.”

Following a Saturday without any jumps or afternoon action, National Hunt racing did get the go-ahead at Chepstow and Naas.

Chepstow opted to take another look after an initial precautionary check at 7.30am and, with temperatures rising, the seven-race card did pass a second inspection at 9am, while the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle is the feature event on a quality card at Naas.

A 7.30am inspection was called at the Irish track due to the threat of snow, but that failed to materialise.

Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: “We had no snow overnight, we’ve had 11 millimetres of rain and the ground is now soft, soft to heavy in places.”

Further interruptions to the racing programme appear almost certain in the coming days, though, with more snow and freezing temperatures forecast.

On Monday, the jumps meeting at Ayr is subject to a precautionary inspection at 7am due to the threat of snow and temperatures as low as minus 2C, while officials at Ludlow will also inspect at 7am ahead of their fixture, with two inches of snow laying on the track on Sunday morning.

Leicester’s Tuesday card has already been abandoned due to waterlogging.

Chepstow, Plumpton and Naas all cleared for Sunday racing

5 January 2025/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

National Hunt racing resumed on Sunday after fixtures at Chepstow, Plumpton and Naas were all given the go-ahead following morning inspections.

Racegoers were left without any jumps or afternoon action on Saturday after freezing temperatures claimed the meetings at Sandown and Wincanton. Newcastle’s jumps card had already been abandoned on Friday, while a frozen track at Cork meant no racing took place in Ireland either.

Officials at Plumpton announced a precautionary inspection for 8.30am ahead of the track’s BetGoodwin Sussex National meeting due to the forecast of heavy rain overnight – and while 25mm fell, racing was given the green light.

Chepstow opted to take another look after an initial precautionary check at 7.30am and, with temperatures rising, the seven-race card did pass a second inspection at 9am, while the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle is the feature event on a quality card at Naas.

A 7.30am inspection was called at the Irish track due to the threat of snow, but that failed to materialise.

Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, said: “We had no snow overnight, we’ve had 11 millimetres of rain and the ground is now soft, soft to heavy in places.”

Further interruptions to the racing programme appear almost certain in the coming days, though, with more snow and freezing temperatures forecast.

Monday’s jumps meeting at Ayr is subject to a precautionary inspection at 7am due to the threat of snow and temperatures as low as minus 2C, while officials at Ludlow will also inspect at 7am ahead of their Monday fixture, with two inches of snow laying on the track on Sunday morning.

Leicester’s Tuesday card has already been abandoned due to waterlogging.

Val Dancer digs deep to secure Welsh National crown

27 December 2024/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Val Dancer emerged from the gloom to claim the Coral Welsh Grand National, clinging on gamely to thwart Sam Thomas’ two-pronged attack at Chepstow.

Trained by Mel Rowley, the 8-1 winner tuned up for this marathon assignment with a victorious return at Carlisle last month and was among those to keep tabs on early leader Amateur in the early exchanges.

Fancied runners, Dan Skelton’s Galia Des Liteaux and Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s pair Iron Bridge and Monbeg Genius crept into contention as the runners made their way down the back for the second time, as plenty remained in the hunt as the runners went out of sight at the most distant part of the course.

You are going to have to trust us here!

Val Dancer wins the Coral Welsh Grand National 🏆#ITVRacing | @ChepstowRacing pic.twitter.com/5KF2upkXUg

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 27, 2024

However, with fog making visibility tricky, it was Val Dancer who had taken up the running as the runners came back into full view with five fences to jump, the seven-year-old having Sam Thomas’ 2021 winner Iwilldoit for company.

Val Dancer and Iwilldoit engaged in a ding-dong battle up the long, stamina-sapping Chepstow straight and although Iwilldoit’s challenge began to falter in the closing stages, his stablemate, the 6-1 joint-favourite Jubilee Express, took over the mantle to push the winner all the way to the line.

Ridden to victory by Charlie Hammond, Val Dancer emerged a length and half clear of Jubilee Express at the finish, with Iwilldoit the same distance back in third. Monbeg Genius was the pick of the O’Neill pair in fourth.

The victory not only broke Rowley’s duck at the south Wales venue, but also provided the Shropshire handler with the biggest success of her fledgling training career.

She told Sky Sports Racing: “I can’t put it into words and for our little yard in Shropshire, days like this we watch on the telly, we’re not part of it. It’s unbelievable, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry to be honest.

The Val Dancer team celebrate (David Davies/PA)

“We were watching on the rail, but it was a bit like joining the dots as you couldn’t see very much. When we saw him come out of the gloom and he was still there and in contention I thought ‘oh my god’. He’s not run over this distance before but we were fairly confident he would keep going.

“Charlie Deutsch rode him the last day, but had to be elsewhere today, so the other Charlie took up the reins and they had a long chat. Charlie Deutsch told Charlie Hammond what to do and he did it to perfection, it was fantastic.”

Welsh-based Thomas may have narrowly failed to win his local track’s big race for the second time, but was nevertheless proud of both his placed horses.

He said: “All credit to the winner and Charlie Deutsch told me he was the horse to beat when we were talking about the race last week, he thought Val Dancer was the perfect horse for the race. Full credit to the Rowley team and we’ll be back again.

Iwilldoit has won some big races for Sam Thomas (Nigel French/PA)

“It’s a really good race for us and we enjoy coming here. We were so close, but there’s nothing to complain about and we’re just delighted and proud of the horses and proud of the team at home.”

Iwilldoit has provided the Gold Cup-winning jockey with some of the biggest days in his short training career, while hopes are high Jubilee Express will go on to replicate his elder stablemate and become a standing dish in the most prestigious staying handicap events.

Thomas added: “When you keep going with those sort of horses, they tell you when they are ready to retire and Iwilldoit just loves the game. You can’t run him too often and he’s going to want a good break again now but when they want to do it like that, there’s no reason not to carry on.

“We’ll have to look and see with Jubilee Express, but those staying races look tailor-made for him and I dare say if the ground had been a bit softer like it normally is it would have helped him. I’m delighted and he’s like a hunter at home he’s so laid back.

“The plan did not work out at all and we were meant to have a prep run but for one reason or another it just didn’t happen. Huge credit to him and he’ll improve a ton for that race.”

Nietzsche Has what it takes to be Finale hero for France

27 December 2024/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

French raider Nietzsche Has justified favouritism to claim the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle in emphatic fashion at Chepstow.

Trained by Marcel Rolland – who tasted success on British soil with Original in Kempton’s Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase in 2008 – the three-year-old arrived in Wales on the back of finishing runner-up in an Auteuil Grade One last month.

With visibility limited due to fog, it was Jamie Snowden’s Marche d’Aligre who led the runners into the straight, but it was not long until the 11-10 favourite was asserting his dominance in the hands of Ludovic Philipperon, scorching clear to score by eight lengths.

Light work for the French raider! 🇫🇷

Nietzsche Has cruises home to land the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle for @PhilipperonL and Marcel Roland… pic.twitter.com/SGK9mjfVuv

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 27, 2024

Winning owner Edward James of Highbourne Stud said: “He’s a good horse and was narrowly beaten last time in a Grade One. He had been on a summer break and took a bit more work to come back and we never got the Grade Two.

“I knew he was more than capable and had beaten some good horses (previously). The only thing I was nervous about was the fog. We had a French jockey who perhaps didn’t know his way round here, but it was all OK.

“I didn’t want to change anything and Ludovic has done a fantastic job with this horse all the way through. He was confident enough he could come and run his race here so I wasn’t going to deprive him of that final victory.

“He’s a fantastic animal and what he has shown in his short career is early speed, soundness throughout and he has still got it. He has been better today than he was in his last race and unfortunately it has come a little bit too late. It rained a day too late for us in France, if it had rained a day earlier I think there would have been a different result (in the Grade One).”

The fourth French winner of this race, Nietzsche Has was shortened to 12-1 from 33-1 for the Triumph Hurdle by Betfair.

Nietzsche Has was impressive (David Davies/PA)

However, a Cheltenham Festival bid is unlikely with Nietzsche Has set to head off for stallion duties.

“He’s going off to stud in France and will stand at Haras de Montaigu,” James told Sky Sports Racing.

“I’ve got broodmares there because I’m a French breeder and I think he’s going to be really good. He’s got the sort of temperament where if you have a mare that is a little bit fizzy, I think this fella could put the other bits there and I think there will be some good offspring.

“I would have to speak to a few people (regarding a Triumph Hurdle bid) but after that race you never know. He couldn’t do the two but he would be capable of running in the race.

“It is a difficult decision as there is a lot of stuff to take on board. This horse has got a future and sometimes you have to do the sensible thing and let him do what he’s going to do. I think he has done his work and that could be it.”

Lowry’s Bar was in top form (David Davies/PA)

Prior to Nietzsche Has’ taking performance, Chepstow regular Lowry’s Bar notched his third win at the track to continue his rich vein of form in the Coral ”We’re Here For It” Handicap Chase.

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s six-year-old has taken well to fences and was quickly adding to a game Exeter success earlier this month in good style as the 11-10 favourite.

“I was hopeful of a performance like that being hopeful and actually putting it into practise are two different things,” White said.

“We’ve always loved him and is owned by some great friends and he has just been a joy to train. He’s the gift who keeps on giving.

“When horses rise up the handicap there is fewer options for them. I have two horses who are very similar at the moment, him and Imperial Saint and there was a race for Imperial Saint that he won at Aintree yesterday and a race for Lowry’s Bar here today at Chepstow and it fitted really nicely.

“We were pleasantly surprised when he won over two miles last year because he will stay further. I think two-miles-three is probably his minimum trip but he’s got gears to travel at that pace as well, he’s a joy to train.”

Jamie Snowden’s Julius Des Pictons enhanced his reputation when following up a recent Plumpton victory to claim the opening Play Coral ‘Racing-Super-Series’ For Free Novices’ Hurdle as the evens favourite, while Jane Williams’ Castelfort (12-1) was in the winner’s enclosure after the Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle.

Thomas double-handed in bid for more Welsh National glory

26 December 2024/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Sam Thomas has two darts to throw as he looks to regain the Coral Welsh Grand National title at Chepstow.

Iwilldoit landed the race in 2021, coming home nine lengths to the good under Stan Sheppard having lined up against 19 rivals.

He did not return for the contest in 2022, but in 2023 finished third under Dylan Johnston, who at the time was claiming 7lb.

The 11-year-old’s hefty 11st 13lb allocation will this time be reduced by the same amount thanks to Callum Pritchard and Thomas said: “Iwilldoit has been in good form and knows what he’s doing!

“It’s just whether the legs can carry him round in that sort of race really, but he’s got a 7lb claimer on and seems in good form.”

Coral Welsh Grand National – Chepstow Racecourse — Iwilldoit winning the Welsh Grand National in 2021 (David Davies/PA)

Thomas’ other runner is Jubilee Express, a far younger horse at only seven years of age and partnered by Johnston, whose claim is now depleted to 3lb.

Last season was the gelding’s first over fences and he signed off on a high note when winning a staying event at Haydock on the final start of his campaign.

He returns to action at Chepstow, making his seasonal debut under 10st 4lb, with Thomas stating: “Jubilee Express has got a great profile for the race.

“I didn’t think he’d be getting in earlier on in the season off his mark and we unfortunately haven’t had the chance to give him a prep run, for one reason or another.

“We’ve managed to get as much work into him as we possibly can, so fingers crossed that lack of a run won’t be a factor.”

Nick Scholfield will take the ride on Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius, a horse he rode to finish second at Haydock when he made his reappearance last month.

Doncaster Races – Wednesday 21st February — Jockey Nick Scholfield has high hopes for Monbeg Genius (Mike Egerton/PA).

The rider told Sky Sports Racing: “His well-being seems good. I’ve sat on him since Haydock.

“I was really pleased with that run because historically he always needs his first run of the season, so I thought that was a good run on testing ground at Haydock.

“He stuck on well that day, so it is all systems go for the Welsh National.

“We feel these kind of trips are what he wants. The way he races, he’s not over exuberant, he’s a good, economical jumper, I think Chepstow as a track will suit him, he goes on most types of ground, he’s very genuine, he tries hard – there’s a big one in him and we hope it’s the Welsh National.

“I think Jonjo has said he never quite had him right last season, but if he can reproduce that Ultima form behind Corach Rambler (third in March 2023), hopefully he won’t be too far away.

“I’d imagine this year it might not be as gruelling as normal, looking at the weather, and that might make it more competitive.”

Fontaine Collonges heads the weights for Venetia Williams after beating Monbeg Genius by 12 lengths at Haydock, Galia Des Liteaux represents Dan Skelton and there are three Irish raiders – Stuzzikini and Where It All Began for Gordon Elliott, plus Gavin Cromwell’s Evies Vladimir.

Welsh National defence deemed to come too soon for Nassalam

20 December 2024/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Nassalam will not get the chance to defend his Coral Welsh Grand National crown at Chepstow.

Gary and Josh Moore’s charge was a spectacular winner of the race 12 months ago, romping home by 34 lengths on heavy ground under Caoilin Quinn. However, things have not gone to plan since then, with the seven-year-old completing only one of his subsequent four outings.

He was pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup before trailing home a well-beaten 18th in the Grand National at Aintree.

This term, Nassalam was always behind and tailed off when pulled up at Chepstow in October and, despite being prominent early on, suffered the same fate at Cheltenham last month.

He was still towards the head of the Welsh National ante-post betting, but a training setback has ruled out any hope of a repeat success on December 27.

Josh Moore said: “He won’t make it. He’s missed too much work, so that’s out of the picture for him now. He’ll hopefully be back for the Grand National Trial in February at Haydock.”

Monbeg Genius is now the 5-1 favourite (from 6-1) with sponsors Coral, ahead of Broadway Boy and Where It All Began at 6-1.

Sandown set to race but Aintree and Chepstow abandoned

7 December 2024/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

Sandown’s Betfair Tingle Creek Chase card has been passed fit to race following a second inspection but conditions will continue to be monitored.

The news is not so positive at both Aintree and Chepstow, however, with the strong winds of Storm Darragh forcing both to abandon.

Sandown officials had a first look at 7.30am and while they found conditions raceable, it was thought prudent to have another look at 9.30am to be on the safe side.

After that a statement that was released read: “Following our 9.30am inspection, the track and conditions are currently safe for racing and today’s Betfair Tingle Creek Saturday will go ahead.

“We will continue to monitor the forecast and conditions. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

Aintree on Merseyside was set to feature the Boylesports Becher Chase, one of only a handful of races each season over the famous Grand National fences.

Due to its distance of three miles and two furlongs it is seen as a good trial for the big race in April but this year’s contest has been beaten by the weather.

A weather warning had been issued for the area and with gusts of wind up to 60mph forecast, officials felt it was prudent to make an early decision.

A post on X read: “Unfortunately our Becher Chase raceday has been abandoned following our morning inspection.

“We have continued to monitor conditions and the weather forecast throughout the night and into this morning, and we are already experiencing significant gusts of wind which are causing damage to the track infrastructure.

“The outlook for the day is for further significant winds. making it unsafe for racing. The safety of our participants, visitors and teams is our number one priority.”

Chepstow was due to stage a trial for its Welsh Grand National, which is held on December 27.

However, the decision was taken just after 7am that conditions were too dangerous with wind gusts of up to 35mph.

Complicating matters further was that both the Severn Bridge and the Prince of Wales Bridge were closed in both directions seriously affecting journeys to and from Wales.

Wetherby’s meeting, due to begin at 10.35am, also survived an inspection. Huntingdon’s Peterborough Chase card on Sunday is subject to a 7.30am precautionary inspection.

Wolverhampton’s all-weather fixture on Saturday evening was another forced to abandon due to high winds.

Aintree and Chepstow abandoned but Sandown to look again

7 December 2024/in Horse Racing News/by Geegeez News

This afternoon’s meetings at both Aintree and Chepstow have been abandoned to due the strong winds of Storm Darragh but Sandown has passed a first morning inspection.