Milan Best Bar None In Classic
Saturday’s big race at Warwick provided us with the latest installment of the Bryony Frost show, as the hottest conditional in the game struck yet again. Fresh from becoming just the second female rider to land a British Grade 1 over jumps aboard Black Corton on Boxing Day, Frost worked her magic aboard the Neil King trained Milansbar to see off all comers in the Betfair Classic Chase.
Last sighted depositing Trevor Whelan into the turf when in the process of running a shocker in the Welsh Grand National, the addition of first time blinkers and Bryony in the saddle certainly seemed to work the oracle as the 11 year old pulled right away for a resounding 11 lengths success from Cogry. Depending upon the handicappers reaction to this, a shot at the Grand National may be this one’s next assignment, making him a 50/1 shot for the Aintree showpiece.
Jefferson Joy As Waiting Wins
Whilst Bryony Frost grabbed the majority of the headlines, for us the standout equine performance of the weekend came from the Malcolm Jefferson-trained northern raider, Waiting Patiently, in the Listed 32Red Casino Chase at Kempton. Headed into the contest a perfect four from four over fences, the son of Flemensfirth oozed class throughout before leaving the field for dead and recording an impressive eight length success. He’s now into 12/1 for the Champion Chase and 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and should the going be on the soft side, it will take a good one to beat him, particularly in the latter event.
Bird Soars To Supreme Favouritism
Saturday’s action over in Ireland brought us a new favourite for the Triumph Hurdle as the Willie Mullins-trained, Rich Ricci-owned, Getabird put in a hugely impressive display to land the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle. Slamming the highly regarded Mengli Khan by an easy nine lengths must go down as just about the top performance by a novice hurdler this season, and resulted in the six year old by Getaway assuming favouritism for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Mullins had previously used this race as a route into the Cheltenham Festival (check out our Festival offers and promotions!)with the likes of Vautour and Douvan. And Getabird was certainly as impressive on the eye as that illustrious duo in taking this. We expect there will be plenty of takers of the 3/1 on offer for the Supreme.
Elliott Plunders Another Big Pot
Gordon Elliott’s Mengli Khan may have been firmly put in his place by Getabird on Saturday, but the current leader in the race to be Irish Champion trainer quickly gained his revenge when bagging the big handicap at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Having ruined his chances with a shuddering error at this track last time out, Doctor Phoenix showed what he could do when putting in a clear round as he powered clear in the closing stages for a nine length success, stretching Elliott’s lead in the title race by a further €59,000 in the process.
Un Boasts Excellent Chance In Clarence
Looking ahead to the weekend’s action, it is Ascot which takes centre stage with its excellent Clarence House Chase card on Saturday. Won by the likes of Master Minded and Sprinter Sacre in the past, we could be in for a little bit of history this year as the Willie Mullins trained Un De Sceaux bids to become the first horse to win the race three times. At 4/7, he is hot favourite to do just that.
