Bentley Flying Spur Handicap Chase |
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| Cheltenham 15:35 £48,000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 199y, Class 2  |
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| Friday 23rd October 2020 | |
1 Rouge Vif 5/1
2 Western Miller 66/1
3 Beat The Judge 4/1F
13 ran Distances: 7½l, 1¼l, ¾l
ROUGE VIF makes a mockery of his handicap mark and bolts up at @CheltenhamRaces for @Harry_Whitt and @Dazjacob10!pic.twitter.com/XgB0Itd9Oi
— Timeform (@Timeform) October 23, 2020
Rouge Vif had far to much for the rest of the field blowing away his rivals with a stunning performance on his return to Cheltenham.
Winner of the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick in February, the six-year-old was last seen finishing third in the Arkle Trophy at the Festival in March.
He appears to have improved significantly since, judged on an impressive weight-carrying performance here – travelling with enthusiasm and jumping with aplomb under Daryl Jacob on his way to a seven-and-a-half-length success.
Whittington was claiming the two-mile contest for the second year in succession, having saddled another stable star in Saint Calvados to secure victory 12 months ago.
“He was awesome,” said the Wantage handler.
“He has got a god ground action and is just so slick to jump out of it – on better ground you see him at his best.
“He was in his comfort zone there and has loved it today. I hoped he had improved for a summer break as I ride him myself most days and he feels a more powerful animal.
“He has obviously strengthened up a lot, but to win a handicap off a mark of 156 like that is impressive – he has slightly surprised me.”
Bookmakers were quick to slash Rouge Vif’s odds for both the Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Queen Mother Champion Chase back at Cheltenham.
Whittington is keen to let the dust settle before considering future plans, adding: “Today he looked like a proper two-miler. Daryl says he will stay two-and-a-half, but I don’t think we will be going up in trip yet.
“Coming back here for the Shloer Chase in three weeks’ time is a potential option, but we will have to get home and discuss and talk to Andrew (Brooks, owner), as it will be his decision and we will go from there.”
Randox Health Handicap Chase
£48,000.00 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 2
13 ran
Going: Good
1 Rouge Vif 6 11-7 Harry Whittington Daryl Jacob 5/1
2 7½ Western Miller 9 10-4 Charlie Longsdon Paul O'Brien 66/1
3 1¼ Beat The Judge 5 10-7 Gary Moore Joshua Moore 4/1F
4 ¾ Dolos 7 11-12 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 12/1
5 ½ On The Slopes 6 10-8 Chris Gordon Adam Wedge 11/2
6 2 Ballywood 6 10-9 Alan King Tom Cannon 6/1
7 2¾ Hatcher 7 10-10 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 14/1
8 4 Northern Beau 7 10-0 Michael Scudamore Brendan Powell 16/1
9 17 Movie Legend 10 10-0 Lucy Wadham Bryony Frost 25/1
10 3 Doitforthevillage 11 10-0 Paul Henderson Paddy Brennan 33/1
11 18 Azzuri 8 10-3 Dan Skelton Bridget Andrews 80/1
UR Scardura 6 10-0 Neil Mulholland Sam Twiston-Davies 9/2
UR Katpoli 5 10-2 Dr Richard Newland Charlie Hammond 14/1
