SBK Great Yorkshire Chase |
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| Listed Handicap 15:15 Doncaster £100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 214yds, Class 1  |
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1 Annual Invictus 16/1
2 Forward Plan 11/1
3 Charlie Uberalles 50/1
18 ran Distances: nse, 3¼l, ¾
Time: 5m 51.35s (fast by 2.65s)
INCREDIBLE RIDE! 🤩
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 27, 2024
Annual Invictus holds off Forward Plan under a brilliant Freddie Gordon ride for @Chrisgordonrac1 in the @SBK Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at @DoncasterRaces! pic.twitter.com/mkc3SJj6VB
Chris and Freddie Gordon achieved a remarkable family victory when Freddie’s daring ride aboard Annual Invictus paid off in an exhilarating renewal of the SBK Great Yorkshire Chase. The prestigious Doncaster handicap featured a high-quality field of 18 runners, with Annual Invictus entering the race as a 16-1 shot under his 18-year-old rider.
Freddie Gordon, a 5lb claiming conditional jockey, took an assertive approach from the outset. He sent his mount to the front right from the start, setting a blistering pace that left many of his competitors struggling well before the finish line. Annual Invictus maintained his lead into the home straight, seemingly in control of the race.
However, Ben Godfrey, riding Forward Plan, made a late surge, challenging Annual Invictus. It appeared that Godfrey’s perfectly timed move would secure victory, leaving supporters of Annual Invictus on the edge of their seats. But Freddie Gordon had other plans. He rallied his mount, and the two horses battled fiercely down the stretch, crossing the line almost neck-and-neck.
After a tense wait, the judge confirmed that Annual Invictus had clinched the victory by a mere nose, with Charlie Uberalles finishing third. The winning trainer expressed delight, especially given that the owner, Tom Smith, is also his farrier. The trainer praised Annual Invictus’s ability to maintain a strong gallop while leading from the front.
Freddie Gordon, reflecting on his thrilling ride, credited his father’s advice to “pop out and go on your own.” He kept his head in front despite the challenge from Forward Plan. Godfrey, although disappointed with the defeat, acknowledged that his horse had run a valiant race.
Sky Bet Chase
(Formerly The Great Yorkshire Chase)
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 214yds, Class 1
18 ran
Going: Good
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Annual Invictus 9 10-12 Chris Gordon Freddie Gordon 16/1
2 nse Forward Plan 8 10-6 Anthony Honeyball Ben Godfrey 11/1
3 3¼ Charlie Uberalles 8 10-2 Dianne Sayer Danny McMenamin 50/1
4 ¾ Sail Away 8 11-5 Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell 12/1
5 2¾ Erne River 9 11-3 Nick Kent Charlie Hammond 12/1
6 9½ Mister Coffey 9 11-8 Nicky Henderson Daryl Jacob 10/1
7 4¼ Latitude 8 11-4 Mel Rowley Alex Edwards 14/1
8 2 Whistleinthedark 9 11-8 L J Morgan Kevin Brogan 18/1
9 1¼ Richmond Lake 8 12-0 Donald McCain Brian Hughes 33/1
10 1 Surrey Quest 7 11-1 Toby Lawes Tom Cannon 10/1
11 nk Cap Du Nord 11 10-2 Christian Williams Jack Tudor 11/1
12 2½ Twoshotsoftequila 7 10-2 Rebecca Menzies Nathan Moscrop 9/1
13 2¾ Sweet Will 7 10-2 Emmet Mullins Donagh Meyler 17/2
PU Strictlyadancer 10 10-2 Christian Williams Alan Johns 28/1
PU Cooper's Cross 9 10-11 Sam Coltherd Stuart Coltherd 28/1
PU Kandoo Kid 8 11-7 Paul Nicholls Lorcan Williams 13/2J
PU Hascoeur Clermont 7 10-3 Gavin Cromwell Conor Stone-Walsh 33/1
PU Famous Bridge 8 11-5 Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan 13/2J
