William Hill Grand National Trial |
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| Grade 3 Handicap Chase 15:35 Haydock Park £100,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 16th February 2019 | |
1 Robinsfirth 8/1
2 Ramses De Teillee 8/1
3 Chef D'Oeuvre 12/1
15 ran NR: Impulsive Star Distances: ¾l, 1¼l, 28l
Time: 7m 30.30s (slow by 10.30s)
Robinsfirth digs deep and finds extra late on to win
Robinsfirth hits the front late to win the William Hill Grand National Trial at @haydockraces @mickfitzg's £20 Challenge selection lands!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 16, 2019
Watch LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/Sudk9KANMs
Sean Bowen delivered the Colin Tizzard-trained winner with a perfectly-timed challenge to deny Ramses De Teillee and Chef D’Oeuvre in a thrilling finish to the extended three-and-half-mile heat.
Bowen had been content to bide his time through the early stages as Bishops Road built up an early lead – but when the race began in earnest, it looked as though the grey Ramses De Teillee was going to take the Grade Three honours.
He was in front jumping the last. But Robinsfirth and eventual third Chef D’Oeuvre were motoring in behind, with Bowen switching the winner to challenge in the middle and go on to win by three-quarters of a length, and a further length and a quarter back to the third.
Robinsfirth is not entered in the Grand National, but could now head to next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: “He’s always had bags of ability, but he’s very fragile. That’s like his Gold Cup.
“Sean gave him a super ride. He got mugged here last time, but he timed it right today.
“His owners have had to be patient, but they’ve been rewarded today. They weren’t interested in Aintree, though.
“Were he to run in the Scottish National he’d need it to rain, but it’s almost four weeks to Cheltenham, he could run in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
“Today has been his aim all season, though, so it’s brilliant.
“(Stablemate) Royal Vacation probably travelled better than anything but just flattened out (in fourth), I’d imagine it will be Aintree for him.”
David Pipe, trainer of Ramses De Teillee, is unsure if the Grand National will be the target for his charge this term.
He added: “He’s run another career-best, handled the better ground but just got beat.
“Whether he goes to Aintree this year or next year, we’ll just have to see.”
William Hill Grand National Trial
£100,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Robinsfirth (IRE) 8/1 | Sean Bowen 11-4 |
C L Tizzard | 10 | |
| 2nd | ¾ | Ramses De Teillee (FR) 8/1 | David Noonan 11-5 |
D Pipe | 7 |
| 3rd | 1¼ | Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 12/1 | Jonathan England 10-0 |
Sam England | 8 |
| 4th | 28 | Royal Vacation (IRE) 10/1 | P J Brennan 11-8 |
C L Tizzard | 9 |
| 5th | 16 | Yala Enki (FR) 6/1f | H F Nugent (7) 11-12 |
Miss V Williams | 9 |
| 6th | ¾ | Bishops Road (IRE) 33/1 | Mitchell Bastyan (5) 10-7 |
Kerry Lee | 11 |
| PU | Ballyoptic (IRE) 12/1 | Thomas Bellamy 11-11 |
N A Twiston-Davies | 9 | |
| PU | Wakanda (IRE) 12/1 | Danny Cook 11-6 |
Mrs S J Smith | 10 | |
| PU | Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 9/1 | T Scudamore 11-2 |
D Pipe | 10 | |
| PU | Carole's Destrier 20/1 | Aidan Coleman 10-8 |
N P Mulholland | 11 | |
| F | The Two Amigos 7/1 | Matt Griffiths 10-12 |
Nicky Martin | 7 | |
| F | Ballyarthur (IRE) 28/1 | Jamie Bargary 10-10 |
N A Twiston-Davies | 9 | |
| UR | Red Infantry (IRE) 14/1 | T J O'Brien 10-12 |
Ian Williams | 9 | |
| UR | Ah Littleluck (IRE) 20/1 | D J Mullins 10-5 |
T Gibney | 9 | |
| UR | Pobbles Bay (IRE) 10/1 | L P Aspell 10-1 |
Evan Williams | 9 | |
| NR | Impulsive Star (IRE) | Mr S Waley-Cohen (3) 10-9 |
N P Mulholland | 9 |
