Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase
Listed Handicap Chase, Ascot 15:00
£100,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m 7f 180y, Class 1  
Saturday 21st December 2024

FormRatings

1 Victtorino 5/2F
2 The Changing Man 10/3
3 Threeunderthrufive 22/1
8 ran Distances: ½l, 9l, nk
Time: 6m 9.98s (slow by 14.98s)

Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams celebrated another significant victory as Victtorino clinched this race for the second consecutive year. Sent off as the 5-2 favourite, Victtorino had previously caught attention by finishing third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, despite making several jumping errors.

Although his jumping was not flawless in this race, Victtorino saved his best leap for when it mattered most. The race was characterized by a relentless pace set by Trelawne, The Changing Man, and Threeunderthrufive. While these front-runners exerted themselves, Deutsch, riding with confidence from his recent big race wins on Royale Pagaille, Martator, Gemirande, and Djelo, sat detached from the main group, gradually moving into contention.

With three fences left to jump, Victtorino was in fourth place, with The Changing Man out in front. The race hinged on the final jump, where Deutsch saw a beautiful stride, and Victtorino responded perfectly, landing running and securing the victory by half a length.

This win marks the second time this season that Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man has been narrowly denied a Saturday event victory by Williams, having previously finished second to Frero Banbou in the Rehearsal Chase.

Reflecting on the race, Williams said, “I thought halfway up the run-in that he wasn’t going to get there, all credit to the second horse. He’ll be fed up with us because he’s seen our backsides the last two Saturdays he’s run.” She praised Deutsch’s ride, saying, “The important thing is that he jumped better today. As soon as he jumped the first, he met it slightly long and then came up, I think we both thought we were in business.”

Williams highlighted the improvement in Victtorino’s jumping, which was crucial to their success. “His jumping was so much better and that was key. If that had fallen apart, everything would have fallen apart. Ascot have got a series of these three-milers, I think there’s one at the meeting in January,” she added.

Victtorino’s performance underscores his resilience and skill, as well as the successful strategies employed by Deutsch and Williams. This victory sets the stage for more exciting races ahead.

QuinnBet

Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed)
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 7f 180y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Victtorino 6 11-2 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 5/2F
2 ½ The Changing Man 7 10-8 Joe Tizzard Sam Twiston-Davies 10/3
3 9 Threeunderthrufive 9 12-0 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 22/1
4 nk Trelawne 8 11-11 Kim Bailey Tom Bellamy 4/1
5 ½ Flegmatik 9 10-7 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 22/1
6 67 Heloy Delabarriere 7 10-12 A Chaille-Chaille Florent Bayle 3/1
PU Two For Gold 11 11-9 Kim Bailey Jonathan Burke 22/1
UR Hartur d'Arc 7 10-12 Gavin Cromwell Conor Stone-Walsh 18/1

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