Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase
Grade 2, Kempton Park 14:30
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
2m, Class 1  
Friday 27th December 2024

BetGoodwin

1 Soul Icon 16/1
2 Edwardstone 7/2
3 Martator 2/1F
7 ran NR: Calico Distances: 3½l, 7l, 9l
Time: 3m 51.73s (slow by 1.73s)

Soul Icon enjoyed a well-deserved day in the sun with a surprise victory. This win marked a significant achievement for Keiran Burke's stable star, who had consistently finished second in five successive races since his last triumph over hurdles at Fontwell in October of last year.

The seven-year-old appeared outclassed when he finished last of four in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his most recent outing. Sent off at 16-1 against rivals like Boothill and Edwardstone in this limited handicap, Soul Icon proved the odds wrong.

The race turned into a straight shootout from halfway up the home straight, with Harry Cobden on Soul Icon challenged by Tom Cannon on Edwardstone, who was carrying a stone and a half more weight. The extra burden took its toll on Edwardstone, and with the far rail to help, Soul Icon knuckled down on the run-in to secure top honours and his first win over fences by three and a half lengths. The 2-1 favourite Martator finished a further seven lengths away in third.

Burke, claiming his first big-race winner since saddling Hunt Ball to victory at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival, expressed his delight, saying, “I’m delighted as he deserved that. He’s as genuine as they come and he’s just been unfortunate to bump into one a few times. It was a lovely ride from Harry, perfect. It was the complete opposite of what I wanted him to do, but he knows what he’s doing and knows more than I do!”

Cobden shared his thoughts on the race with Racing TV, stating, “It’s great to ride any winner, but especially on the big days. I get a buzz riding any horse to win in a race like this and it means so much more to those little guys because they don’t have many darts to throw at the board. We went very quick with two keen horses in front and I just thought we’d take a lead and follow away. He’s not a very big horse, but he’s clever and he’s got a big jump when you need it.”

Reflecting on Soul Icon's recent performances, Cobden added, “He’s been very unlucky. Three or four times over fences it’s looked like he was going to win and something has nailed him in the last 25 yards. I think the way the race played out today, going so quick early, he hasn’t been in front too long and it’s probably helped him out.”

Trainers Quotes

Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase
£100,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Soul Icon 7 10-6 Keiran Burke Harry Cobden 16/1
2 3½ Edwardstone 10 11-12 Alan King Tom Cannon 7/2
3 7 Martator 7 11-0 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 2/1F
4 9 Traprain Law 6 10-6 Lucinda Russell Patrick Wadge 33/1
5 25 Editeur Du Gite 10 10-13 Gary & Josh Moore Freddie Mitchell 15/2
FELL Boothill 9 11-9 Harry Fry Bryan Carver 5/1
PU Sans Bruit 6 10-6 Paul Nicholls Bryony Frost 4/1
NR 5 Calico 8 10-6 Dan Skelton NON RUNNER

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