RACE REPORT
WICHITA LINEMAN will attempt to follow in the hoofprints of his illustrious stablemate Black Jack Ketchum and win the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in March after his workmanlike victory in the Grade 2 novices hurdle.
Sent off evens favourite for the 2m 5f Ballymore Properties-sponsored contest, Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old showed his mettle in a battle as he shook off the determined challenges of Tidal Bay and Massini’s Maguire from the second-last flight.
The fact that he stretched six lengths and another four respectively clear of the placed horses persuaded O’Neill the Festival three miler would suit the Tony McCoy ridden gelding and he confirmed that would be the target.
The master of Jackdaws Castle said: "He will go for the three mile Brit Insurance Novices Hurdle in March as I think we would only consider the Ballymore Properties Hurdle over shorter if the ground came up an absolute bog.
"This horse is a bit lazy and he keeps a bit for himself but he gallops and jumps as he showed there as he answered all of AP’s calls to go on and win his race which he did with authority in the end."
Graham Wylie, owner of runner up Tidal Bay, was far from despondent about the defeat saying: "He ran a good race but was struggling a bit to get out of that sticky ground.
"I think he is quick enough for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but this is his better trip and he will be back for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle in March hopefully on more suitable ground."
Although the bookmakers were quick to price up the winner for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle, a race he seems certain to bypass, only Coral came up with a 7-4 favourite quote for the Brit Insurance Hurdle.
Somerset trainer Kevin Bishop ended a prolonged lean spell when his stable star Ashley Brook made a cracking return to action when simply running away with the 2m 1f handicap hurdle under Paddy Brennan.
Having been off the course with a knee problem for 15 months, the nine-year-old could hardly have been more impressive as he ran his rivals ragged for a 20 lengths call over French Saluaie.
Bishop said: "He loves going flat out from the start but you’ve got to remember he was thrown in on his chase rating by almost 40 lbs however he was pretty good there. "I suppose the plan will be to go for the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury or a race at Ascot a week later and then come back here for the Queen Mother Champion Chase but he we will enter him for the Ryanair so we have the option."
Bookmakers reacted to the facile win with Ladrokes and William Hill cutting Ashley Brook to 12-1 (from 20) for the Champion Chase while Totesport are 14’s.
Whispered Secret, trained by David Pipe and partnered by Rodi Greene, just lasted home in the Grade 3 Ladbroke Trophy Chase as he was all out tothwart New Alco by half a length.
The race due off at 3.55 was delayed while groundstaff dolled off four fences in the straight due to low sun and clerk of the course, Simon Claisse, admitted there would have be another review about running chases at certain times during the winter.
He said: "It was a bit of a surprise that the jockeys raised a concern about the low sun once again as it had been the subject of a review to which all parties agreed.
"However, the problem has emerged again and the course will have to review running chases before 4pm now but it could make it difficult with race times as a result."
Venetia Williams’s strike rate at present is the envy of many and she added to that statistic when Flying Enterprise ran outthe easy winner of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase to provide rider Liam Treadwell with his biggest jumps success.
Williams said: "He might not be the biggest but he is a trier and he could come back here in March forthe Jewson Novices Handicap Chase depending how handicapper Phil Smith views this win."
Star performance
Exotic Dancer has done nothing but improve all season and capped it all by emphatically jumping into the Gold Cup picture with victory in the Letheby and Christopher Chase.
The sun did not have his hat on
Four fences in the straight had to be dolled off before the start of the 3.55 contest which resulted in a delay
Pack ’em in!
The course boasted a record crowd of 17,300 for their final meeting before the Festival.
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