Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
Grade 1, Sandown 14.25
£50,000 added, 5yo plus,
2m 4f 10y, Class 1  
Saturday 3rd February 2018

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1 Terrefort 15/8F
2 Cyrname 9/4
3 No Comment 8/1
5 ran Distances: nk, 30l, 20l
Time: 5m 16.90s (slow by 19.90s)

Terrefort and Cyrname dominated proceedings throughout and served up a real treat for racegoers as they made the running over the two and a half miles, with the three other runners unable to get in a blow at any stage.

Terrefort led over the final fence under Daryl Jacob, but Nicky Henderson's French import had to dig deep to see off the game Cyrname, who went down fighting, just a neck behind the winner.

It was a fourth successive victory in this Grade One for Jacob and owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and it came just minutes after the same colours were carried to victory by Footpad in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.

Jacob said: "I'm delighted Footpad's won as well. He's a real contender for the Arkle and it's great Isaac and Simon have got two wonderful horses. 

"We were surprised when he (Terrefort) won at Huntingdon, but he's improved a lot since then and has come from that wonderful man, Mr (Guillaume) Macaire in France.

"The horse knew his job today. He's a wonderful jumper. He seems very uncomplicated. He loves to see the fences and wants to attack them." 

Henderson, celebrating a sixth triumph in the race, said: "He's come straight out of novice handicaps. He's run a great race and jumped well, but shows absolutely nothing at home.

"It was a moderate handicap he won and he was put up a stone. The handicapper was right, I was wrong.

"I don't know where we'll go. I'll speak to Daryl."

Henderson did admit, however, that the JLT is looking like the race at Cheltenham for Terrefort. 

He said: "It was great at Huntingdon, but that is a huge difference from a novice handicap chase to a Grade One. That (Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham) went straight through the window. 

"I thought we might have a bit of fun in a novice handicap, but that went straight through the window in one swift move. I love horses that surprise you, because you couldn't watch anything slower at home - it is impossible. 

"I suppose so (JLT) unless he would get three (miles). It is great for them (owners) as Footpad did it well in Ireland and for Simon and Isaac they have got an Arkle horse. 

"We are now on 100 for the season, so good boy. We might as well do it with a Grade One. That is a good day's work so far." 

Cyrname
© Racehorse Photos
Cyrname

Paul Nicholls believes there is more to come from Cyrname, and said: "He has run very well. He has done nothing but improve, from being a very difficult horse to train, as he was so free at home. 

"His hurdle races were a bit of a disaster, as he was so keen. We eventually let him bowl along in front and he is just improving all the time. 

"He is a smart horse and he will be better next year, as he is still a bit raw and he just wants to furnish out a little bit. It was a good run. 

"I'm not sure what to do now, but we were thinking about the Pendil (at Kempton). We thought he would get the trip well and although he has won over two, that has been by being aggressive from the front. 

"He will get three in time, as you could see there all he did was stay."

SureWIn

Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
£50,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 4f 10y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Soft

Pos D Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Terrefort (FR) 15/8f D A Jacob
11-1		 N J Henderson 5
2nd nk Cyrname (FR) 9/4 Sean Bowen
11-4		 P F Nicholls 6
3rd 30 No Comment 8/1 T J O'Brien
11-4		 P J Hobbs 7
4th 20 Kalondra (IRE) 9/2 N D Fehily
11-4		 N P Mulholland 7
5th 1¼ West Approach 6/1 T Scudamore
11-4		 C L Tizzard 8

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