Race Report - 29th December 2011
12.10 crownhotel-bawtry.com Maiden Hurdle (2m31/2f)
Doncaster's new festive fixture got off to the perfect start with a royal winner as The Queen's runner OPEN HEARTED dug deep to take this for Nicky Henderson and Andrew Tinkler. Open Hearted enjoyed the step up in trip to thwart favourite Ile De Re, who had shaped well at Aintree previously but pulled too hard early on and paid the penalty where it mattered.
12.40 Mirror Punters Club Beginners' Chase (2m3f)
Nicky Henderson completed a quickfire double with PRINCE OF PIRATES, who fought back in game style to beat the persistent Habbie Simpson. It was a typical Tony McCoy performance on the winner, who regained the lead after Habbie Simpson had made a costly error two out. Still rather green, the JP McManus-owned winner looks open to improvement.
1.10 Pyramid carpets 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (2m1/2f)
TOUR D'ARGENT made every post a winning one to give Nicky Henderson a treble and jockey Tony McCoy a rapid double. He has earned the right to take on better rivals after this, while An Capall Mor, who like the winner was dropping back in trip, probably needs a greater test of stamina. Parsnip Pete, who had shaped well at Cheltenham, was well beaten after charting a wide course and may have preferred quicker ground.
1.45 Lynn Higgins 60th Birthday Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (3m2f)
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was at Town Moor to see his HARRY THE VIKING pull out all the stops to beat Ikorodu Road. Paul Nicholls' winner, ridden by Daryl Jacob, almost squandered his chance with a desperate error at the 14th fence, but recovered well to get the verdict by only a head at the line. The Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot in the New Year could be on the agenda now.
2.20 Hesley Electrical Handicap Hurdle (2m1/2f)
Mick Easterby, the veteran trainer who received a lifetime achievement award from Go Racing In Yorkshire just before Christmas, was among the winners again after SHADOWS LENGTHEN upset the favourite A Bridge Too Far. Jake Greenall gave the winner a great ride to repel the market leader, despite an error at the last, with Trop Fort weakening back into third having cut out a lot of the early running.
2.55 Sorrelcourt Stud Handicap Chase (3m2f)
Star Beat made most of the running and stuck on gamely under pressure, only to be overhauled by eventual winner AIR FORCE ONE and Beneficial Reform. The winner, once a top flight chaser, found his stride on the run to the line under Noel Fehily despite failing to complete in his previous five attempts. Charlie Mann's nine-year-old ran down Beneficial Reform, who had landed in front over the last but was reeled in close to home.
3.30 Crabbie's Spiffing Alcoholic Ginger Beer Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m1/2f)
KAYSERSBERG , who had shown promise on debut at Uttoxeter in November, ran out a clear winner for Alex Merriam from the well fancied Red Devil Boys, who was making his debut under rules for the in-form John Ferguson. It was a satisfactory start by the Irish point-to-point winner, but he couldn't match strides with Neil King's winner inside the final furlong. Bamboleo ran well on debut for David Pipe and looks to have a future, too.
