RACE REPORT

Meeting: Sandown

Date: 07/12/01

Going: g/s

Winnings: £10,816

Race: Future Stars Chase (Intermediate)(Class B)

Distance: 3m½f

1st

 Bacchanal (IRE)

 4/9fav

 11.10lb

2nd

 Granit D'Estruval (FR)

 5/2

 11.00lb

Distances: 26L

Time: 6m32s

Ran: 3

Trainer: N Henderson

Jockey: MA Fitzgerald

Owner: Lady Lloyd Webber

 A virtual exhibition round from BACCHANAL, who had his own way of jumping last season as a novice last season but looked much more professional this time.
While it is fair to say he had to win this intermediate race easily if he was to have any realistic chance in the King George, one could not help but be impressed with the way he measured his fences and sauntered clear of Granit d'Estruval on the bridle from three out to score with any amount in hand.
The winner will go to Kempton and Nicky Henderson is adamant he will come on a ton, even though he had already had a racecourse gallop, because he is a very stuffy type who takes a great deal of getting fit.
Last years course and distance win in the Feltham Chase will stand him in good stead, and he should be a worthy rival to First Gold - who was far from convincing on his reappearance and has never looked as good as he did at Kempton 12 months ago - and Best Mate, who has yet to show he stays.

BACCHANAL ON WAY TO TILT AT KING GEORGE

Bacchanal confirmed himself a serious rival to First Gold and Best Mate in the Pertemps King George V1 Chase with a near-faultless round of jumping on his way to a 26-length win in the Future Stars Chase.
Coral make him 5/1 third favourite (from 7/1) and Paddy Power cut him to 9-2. He has also been shortened generally for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Coral taking thr most drastic action by making him 10/1 (from 16/1). However 16/1 is still available with Chandler, Hills and Ladbrokes.
The 2000 Stayers Hurdle winner was not a natural over fences as a novice last season, but he was far more polished and professional here and delighed both Mick Fitzgerald and Nicky Henderson who has yet to win a King George.
After Bacchanal had come home in the intermediate chase that Looks Like Trouble won before his success in the Gold Cup, Henderson enthused, "Nobody can say he can't jump now. He has to go to Kempton." The trainer continued, "He has outgrown his novice ways. He has done plenty of schooling, lots of it with Yogi Breisner in his indoor school, and he was superb here, with as good a technique as you'll see. And he can do it at pace too - they weren't hanging around."

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