Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Chase
Handicap, Doncaster 15:30
£55,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
3m 2f 1y, Class 2   
Saturday 5th March 2022

Trainers Quotes

1 Undersupervision 9/2
2 Mister Malarky 7/1
3 Cloth Cap 6/1
7 ran NR: Powerstown Park Distances: 1¾l, 24l, 11l
Time: 6m 47.11s (slow by 21.11s)

Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son Sam, Undersupervision travelled well throughout the three-and-a-quarter-mile test and eventually denied the game Mister Malarky in a thrilling finish.

The runner-up had looked to be struggling through the early stages as Le Milos and Legends Gold set the early pace, but once Mister Malarky got into a rhythm for Harry Bannister, he made swift progress and grabbed a useful lead with a handful of fences still to jump.

Grand National hopeful Cloth Cap briefly looked as though he might mount a challenge, but the top weight was toiling two from home as Undersupervision emerged as the only real challenger.

Mister Malarky was still in front a stride before the last, but Undersupervision jumped by him and under strong driving from Twiston-Davies, he eventually prevailed by a length and three-quarters.

Cloth Cap kept on for a distant third while favourite Storm Control was pulled up.

The winner had to survive a stewards’ inquiry as the front two got close on the line and while he is entered for both the Ultima Handicap Chase and the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, the victorious rider said a trip to Prestbury Park is not on the agenda.

“He’s been really good all season and now he’s gone up the handicap a bit. He got punished for coming second in a novice, which I didn’t think they could do but somehow they did,” Twiston-Davies said.

“He’s gone really well since, he’s been very unlucky not to have won one, but it’s great to get his head in front today.

“He’s won by far enough, it was poor riding on my behalf as it’s quite easy just to pull your stick through but it’s a Grimthorpe, you just want to win, it’s a prestigious race.

“It’s my fault so I’ll take that, he was looking round in front which was a shame but at least he’s got his head in front.

“He’s entered (at Cheltenham) but he won’t go, it was all about today.”

Twiston-Davies received a three-day ban (March 19-21 inclusive) for careless riding in the finish.

Free Racing Tips

Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Chase (Handicap)
£55,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 2f 1y, Class 2
7 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Undersupervision 6 10-11 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 9/2
2 1¾ Mister Malarky 9 11-7 Richard J Bandey Harry Bannister 7/1
3 24 Cloth Cap 10 11-12 Jonjo O'Neill Tom Scudamore 6/1
4 11 Le Milos 7 11-8 Tim Vaughan Alan Johns 9/2
5 62 Legends Gold 8 10-8 Rebecca Curtis Ben Jones 13/2
PU Storm Control 9 11-6 Kerry Lee Daire McConville 7/2F
PU Soyouthinksoagain 7 10-9 Dan Skelton Bridget Andrews 17/2
NR Powerstown Park 9 10-9 Sam Thomas NON RUNNER