Betfair Denman Chase |
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| Grade 2 Handicap, Newbury 14:25 £50,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 86y, Class 1  |
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| Saturday 13th February 2016 | |
1 Houblon Des Obeaux 3/1
2 The Giant Bolster 9/1
3 Splash Of Ginge 16/1
7 ran Distances: 28l, 21l, ½l
TIME 6m 17.40s (slow by 37.40s)
The well-backed Houblon Des Obeaux turns the Denman Chase in to a procession under Aidan Coleman
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Houblon Des Obeaux landed his first victory since December 2013 when running out an easy winner at Newbury.
The Venetia Williams-trained nine-year-old had shown little in his previous four starts this term but had good course form that included finishing second to Coneygree in this race 12 months ago.
After first Bob Ford and then Splash Of Ginge had made the running, Aidan Coleman took Houblon Des Obeaux (3-1) to the front at the 12th fence.
His willing mount pulled steadily clear and had no serious challengers in the straight as he went on to win by 28 lengths.
The Giant Bolster stayed on for the runner-up spot.
Coleman said: "This horse has run so many great, tough races in his career that I had a feeling this year he might be past his best.
"But he's back better than ever, which is good."
Williams said: "I'm thrilled to bits. If you go back to his form in this race last year, what was there to beat him?
"We've never seen the best of him over fences at Cheltenham.
"Cheltenham is a unique test, and he just doesn't get into a good rhythm there.
"Whatever we do we won't be going there."
Betfair Denman Chase
£50,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m 7f 86y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Soft, Heavy in places
| Pos | Dist | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 3/1 | Aidan Coleman 11-0 |
Miss V Williams | 9 | |
| 2nd | 28 | The Giant Bolster 9/1 | Jake Hodson 11-0 |
D G Bridgwater | 11 |
| 3rd | 21 | Splash of Ginge 16/1 | Ryan Hatch 11-6 |
N A Twiston-Davies | 8 |
| 4th | ½ | Rocky Creek (IRE) 2/1f | Sam Twiston-Davies 11-6 |
P F Nicholls | 10 |
| PU | Bob Ford (IRE) 10/1 | Nico de Boinville 11-4 |
Miss R Curtis | 9 | |
| PU | Ballynagour (IRE) 3/1 | T Scudamore 11-0 |
D Pipe | 10 | |
| PU | Midnight Appeal 100/1 | R P McLernon 11-0 |
Mrs S Leech | 11 |
Betfair Denman Chase – Roll of Honour
YEAR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY AGE/WEIGHT SP RAN
2015 CONEYGREE Mark Bradstock Richard Johnson 08-11-05 15/8F 6
2014 HARRY TOPPER Kim Bailey Jason Maguire 07-11-10 7/2 5
2013 SILVINIACO CONTI Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 07-11-10 8/11F 8
2012 LONG RUN Nicky Henderson Mr Sam Waley-Cohen 07-11-10 4/7F 5
2011 NOLAND Paul Nicholls A P McCoy 10-11-00 13/2 5
2010 TRICKY TRICKSTER Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 07-11-03 8/1 6
*2009 MADISON DU BERLAIS David Pipe Tom Scudamore 08-11-06 12/1 7
2008 DENMAN Paul Nicholls Sam Thomas 08-11-10 1/4F 4
2007 KAUTO STAR Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh 07-11-00 2/9F 6
2006 Abandoned – Frost
2005 FARMER JACK Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson 09-11-06 12/1 8
2004 SHOOTING LIGHT Martin Pipe Richard Johnson 11-11-00 33/1 8
2003 VALLEY HENRY Paul Nicholls Barry Geraghty 08-11-06 4/1 6
2002 BACCHANAL Nicky Henderson Mick Fitzgerald 08-11-10 5/4F 7
2001 SHOTGUN WILLY Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard 07-11-10 4/1 5
2000 SEE MORE BUSINESS Paul Nicholls Mick Fitzgerald 10-11-10 1/3F 6
*Run at Kempton Park when Newbury’s card was abandoned because of snow
