Colin Parker Memorial Chase |
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| Listed, Carlisle 15:45 £27,500 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1  |
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| Sunday 1st November 2015 | |
1 Saphir Du Rheu 1/5F
2 The Young Master 9/2
3 Midnight Belle 25/1
3 ran Distances: 7l, 33l
TIME 5m 8.50s (slow by 11.50s)
Saphir Du Rheu puts up a performance full of promise for the upcoming season
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Sent off the 1-5 favourite, the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old boosted his prospects for the Newbury feature on November 28 as he brushed The Young Master aside with ease.
After an indifferent start to his fencing campaign last term, the Andy Stewart-owned gelding ended it on a high with victory in the Grade One Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree.
He carried on where he left off in April and was trimmed to 5-1 favourite with Betfred for the Hennessy Gold Cup.
The Young Master set out to make all, but Sam Twiston-Davies never let him out of his sight on Saphir Du Rheu and ranged alongside three out before asking him to go and win his race with the minimum of fuss by seven lengths. Midnight Belle was 33 lengths last of the trio.
"I was thrilled with him. He will improve for the run, he always does. He's just been a bit heavy for my liking, but today I liked the way he travelled and, most importantly of all, he jumped brilliantly," said Nicholls.
"Last year he was always a bit keen and enthusiastic and never jumped that well until his last start. His jumping was awesome today.
"He'll go to the Hennessy now, god willing, and we'll make a plan after that."
Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase
£27,500 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
3 ran
Going: Good to Soft
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 1/5f | Sam Twiston-Davies 11-12 |
P F Nicholls | 6 | |
| 2nd | 7 | The Young Master 9/2 | N D Fehily 11-8 |
N P Mulholland | 6 |
| 3rd | 33 | Midnight Belle 25/1 | J M Davies 10-13 |
T Symonds | 8 |
