Betfair Denman Chase
Grade 2 Handicap, Newbury £50,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1
Saturday 8th February 2014

1 Harry Topper 7/2
2 Al Ferof 5/4F
3 Katenko 9/4
5 ran Distances: 25l, 24l, 37l
TIME 6m 6.56s (slow by 18.56s)

Harry Topper demonstrated his endless reserves of stamina with an emphatic victory in a slog for the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury.

Harry Topper
© Racehorse Photos

Katenko set the pace until just before the run for home where Jason Maguire, who had driven Harry Topper (7-2) to keep up to his work, set sail for the line.

Al Ferof, the 5-4 favourite, tracked him but was soon under pressure and backpedalling as Harry Topper revelled in the ground to pull clear in the home straight and slam him by 25 lengths.

Trainer Kim Bailey said: "It's great for the horse. We've believed in him from day one. He loves this ground and that makes a huge difference," said Bailey.

"He tries. I know he dropped the bit and was given a couple of cracks down the far side, but once he gets going he's as tough as they come. I've always believed in him and thankfully he's come right.

"We schooled him this morning over five fences and the last time I did that was when Master Oats won the Gold Cup all those years ago. They are similar horses with similar attitudes.

"He proved when he ran at Sandown he doesn't go on quicker ground and he won't go to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup unless it's soft. He doesn't have to go anywhere."

Al Ferof
© Racehorse Photos

Paul Nicholls said of Al Ferof: "Daryl (Jacob) said he travelled very well but ran out of stamina.

"When Daryl got off he said the Ryanair. John Hales (owner) is keen to go for the Gold Cup, but I'm not sure he's an out-and-out stayer, certainly in that ground. We'll have to sit down and have a think about it."

Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2)
£50,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Heavy

	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	SP Distance
1	Harry Topper K C Bailey	J M Maguire 11st 10lbs	7 - 2 Winner
2	Al Ferof P F Nicholls	D A Jacob 11st 10lbs	5 - 4 25 lengths
3	Katenko Miss V Williams	Aidan Coleman 11st 6lbs	9 - 4 24 lengths
4	Walkon A King	R Thornton 11st 0lbs	10 - 1 37 lengths
PU	Vino Griego G L Moore	J E Moore 11st 10lbs	20 - 1