Sky Bet Chase |
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| Listed Handicap Doncaster 15:40 £80,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 214yds, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 28th January 2017 | |
1 Ziga Boy 10/1
2 Looking Well 18/1
3 Another Hero 8/1
NR: Katachenko (IRE), Tenor Nivernais (FR)
14 ran Distances: 3½l, 9l, 2l
TIME 6m 6.00s (slow by 12.00s)
Back-to-back Sky Bet Chases for Ziga Boy
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Alan King's Ziga Boy had failed to get his head in front since his success 12 months ago in the race formerly known as the Great Yorkshire Chase, but performed well enough when third here last month to suggest his turn might not be far away.
After being straight straight to the front by Tom Bellamy, Ziga Boy jumped impeccably throughout the three-mile contest and turned for home with a clear lead.
Looking Well finished strongly, but Ziga Boy never looked in serious danger of being caught and came home three and a half lengths to the good.
Bellamy said: "That's my first big Saturday winner, so I'm absolutely chuffed.
"The boss (King) has given me some good chances and it's nice to win a big one.
"He loves it in front and he's probably the best jumper in training.
"I was too fat to ride him last year, so it's nice he's gone up in the weights enough for me to get on today and it's all worked out well."
Dan Downie, racing manager for owners Axom, said: "The horse just absolutely loves it in front and nothing really took him on.
"We're all absolutely delighted and we'll talk to Alan and see where he thinks we should go next."
Speaking from Cheltenham, King said: "I've not spoken to anyone at Doncaster yet, but I am delighted with that performance.
"Even with the rain it was still nice ground and that suits him down to the ground.
"I put the cheekpieces on him and they just sharpened him up a bit.
"He will have to go up a bit, but I think we can look at the National with him."
King was completing a double having landed the opening grandnational2017.com Handicap Hurdle with Mia's Storm (11/1).
Sky Bet Chase
(Formerly The Great Yorkshire Chase)
£80,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 214yds, Class 1
14 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ziga Boy (FR) 10/1 | Thomas Bellamy 10-11 |
A King | 8 | |
| 2nd | 3½ | Looking Well (IRE) 18/1 | Ryan Day (5) 10-6 |
N G Richards | 8 |
| 3rd | 9 | Another Hero (IRE) 8/1 | Aidan Coleman 10-10 |
Jonjo O'Neill | 8 |
| 4th | 2 | Out Sam 8/1 | A Tinkler 10-10 |
W Greatrex | 8 |
| 5th | 10 | Caid Du Berlais (FR) 12/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies 11-6 |
P F Nicholls | 8 |
| 6th | 7 | Vicente (FR) 11/1 | Sean Bowen 11-9 |
P F Nicholls | 8 |
| 7th | ½ | Ballyboker Breeze (IRE) 12/1 | Craig Nichol 11-0 |
N G Richards | 9 |
| 8th | 1 | Coologue (IRE) 12/1 | B Hughes 11-5 |
C E Longsdon | 8 |
| 9th | 20 | Third Intention (IRE) 33/1 | Brendan Powell 11-12 |
C L Tizzard | 10 |
| 10th | 5 | Long Lunch 22/1 | G B Watters (3) 10-6 |
C E Longsdon | 8 |
| 11th | 15 | Holywell (IRE) 25/1 | Killian Moore (3) 11-12 |
Jonjo O'Neill | 10 |
| 12th | 25 | Southfield Royale 6/1 | Mr James King (5) 11-7 |
N P Mulholland | 7 |
| PU | Potters Cross 10/1 | P Townend 10-13 |
Miss R Curtis | 10 | |
| F | Bigbadjohn (IRE) 9/2f | J J Burke 10-10 |
Miss R Curtis | 8 | |
| NR | Tenor Nivernais (FR) 16/1 | L Treadwell 11-12 |
Miss V Williams | 10 | |
| NR | Katachenko (IRE) 25/1 | Non Runner 10-7 |
D McCain Jnr | 8 |
