Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle |
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| Grade 2, Haydock Park 13:30 £50,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 144y, Class 1  |
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❗️ABANDONMENT
— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) January 21, 2023
Unfortunately racing has been abandoned today due to a frozen track. Temperatures reached -3c last night. Automatic refunds will be made for ticket purchases and the hospitality team will be in touch with customers.
Chasing Fire could be chasing bigger prizes shortly as he step up into Grade Two company for the first time.
Having won his bumper, he is unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, both victories coming at Market Rasen.
“We are taking a step up in class and that will hopefully tell us where we are moving forward,” said Murphy.
“We were delighted with his run last time and while it looks a decent race – I know Dan (Skelton) likes his horse (Pembroke) and Paul’s (Nicholls) horse (Toothless) won well at Fakenham last time – I wouldn’t swap my fellow for anything.
“If he comes out of this well, we will likely head for the Supreme, but this will tell us where we are with him.”
Nicholls saddles the ex-French Toothless in the seven-strong line-up, the son of Authorized having produced a facile success on his British debut.
“He made an eyecatching debut for us by winning a maiden hurdle at Fakenham by 35 lengths on New Year’s Day and Bryony Frost was so enthusiastic about him afterwards,” added Nicholls.
“His form in three starts in France last spring was ordinary so we gave him plenty of time and felt he had improved massively in his home work before Fakenham.
“This is a big step up in grade for Toothless who I’d say is a smart horse. He is certainly bred in the purple and is a half-brother to the classy dual-purpose horse Sceau Royal.”
Pembroke recorded his second success over hurdles and was a decisive winner of the closing Novices’ Hurdle at Ludlow on December 20 in the hands of Harry Skelton for Dan Skelton Racing.
Howlingmadmurdock from Tom Lacey’s yard and Evan Williams’ Doyen Star have also won their only hurdles outings.
War Soldier added to a win at Newcastle with a no-nonsense success in the @BetfredTV novices' hurdle at Haydock on December 30 for Sandy Thomson.
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle
(Registered As The Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2)
£50,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 144y, Class 1
7 runners
Going: Heavy (Precautionary Inspection on Saturday at 08:00)
1 11-11 Chasing Fire 6 11-4 Olly Murphy Aidan Coleman
2 1-1 Doyen Star 5 11-4 Evan Williams Adam Wedge
3 1-122 Matata 5 11-4 Nigel Twiston-Davies Daryl Jacob
4 F1-711 Pembroke 6 11-4 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
5 6F5-1 Toothless 5 11-4 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
6 17-411 War Soldier 6 11-4 Sandy Thomson Ryan Mania
7 116-13 Poetic Music 5 10-11 Fergal O'Brien Connor Brace
