Sky Bet Chase
Listed Handicap
Doncaster 15:40
£80,000 added, 5yo plus,
2m 7f 214yds, Class 1  
Saturday 28th January 2017

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1 Ziga Boy 10/1
2 Looking Well 18/1
3 Another Hero 8/1
NR: Katachenko (IRE), Tenor Nivernais (FR)
14 ran Distances: 3½l, 9l, 2l
TIME 6m 6.00s (slow by 12.00s)

Back-to-back Sky Bet Chases for Ziga Boy

Ziga Boy
© Racehorse Photos
Ziga Boy

Alan King's Ziga Boy had failed to get his head in front since his success 12 months ago in the race formerly known as the Great Yorkshire Chase, but performed well enough when third here last month to suggest his turn might not be far away.

After being straight straight to the front by Tom Bellamy, Ziga Boy jumped impeccably throughout the three-mile contest and turned for home with a clear lead.

Looking Well finished strongly, but Ziga Boy never looked in serious danger of being caught and came home three and a half lengths to the good.

Bellamy said: "That's my first big Saturday winner, so I'm absolutely chuffed.

"The boss (King) has given me some good chances and it's nice to win a big one.

"He loves it in front and he's probably the best jumper in training.

"I was too fat to ride him last year, so it's nice he's gone up in the weights enough for me to get on today and it's all worked out well."

Dan Downie, racing manager for owners Axom, said: "The horse just absolutely loves it in front and nothing really took him on.

"We're all absolutely delighted and we'll talk to Alan and see where he thinks we should go next."

Speaking from Cheltenham, King said: "I've not spoken to anyone at Doncaster yet, but I am delighted with that performance.

"Even with the rain it was still nice ground and that suits him down to the ground.

"I put the cheekpieces on him and they just sharpened him up a bit.

"He will have to go up a bit, but I think we can look at the National with him."

King was completing a double having landed the opening grandnational2017.com Handicap Hurdle with Mia's Storm (11/1).

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Sky Bet Chase
(Formerly The Great Yorkshire Chase)
£80,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 214yds, Class 1
14 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

Pos Dist Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Ziga Boy (FR) 10/1 Thomas Bellamy
10-11
A King 8
2nd Looking Well (IRE) 18/1 Ryan Day (5)
10-6
N G Richards 8
3rd 9 Another Hero (IRE) 8/1 Aidan Coleman
10-10
Jonjo O'Neill 8
4th 2 Out Sam 8/1 A Tinkler
10-10
W Greatrex 8
5th 10 Caid Du Berlais (FR) 12/1 Sam Twiston-Davies
11-6
P F Nicholls 8
6th 7 Vicente (FR) 11/1 Sean Bowen
11-9
P F Nicholls 8
7th ½ Ballyboker Breeze (IRE) 12/1 Craig Nichol
11-0
N G Richards 9
8th 1 Coologue (IRE) 12/1 B Hughes
11-5
C E Longsdon 8
9th 20 Third Intention (IRE) 33/1 Brendan Powell
11-12
C L Tizzard 10
10th 5 Long Lunch 22/1 G B Watters (3)
10-6
C E Longsdon 8
11th 15 Holywell (IRE) 25/1 Killian Moore (3)
11-12
Jonjo O'Neill 10
12th 25 Southfield Royale 6/1 Mr James King (5)
11-7
N P Mulholland 7
PU Potters Cross 10/1 P Townend
10-13
Miss R Curtis 10
F Bigbadjohn (IRE) 9/2f J J Burke
10-10
Miss R Curtis 8
NR Tenor Nivernais (FR) 16/1 L Treadwell
11-12
Miss V Williams 10
NR Katachenko (IRE) 25/1 Non Runner
10-7
D McCain Jnr 8

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