Betdaq Handicap Chase |
|
| Grade 3 Handicap, Kempton Park 15:35 £100,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1  |
|
| Saturday 24th February 2018 | |
1 Master Dee 8/1
2
Ballykan 14/1
3
Theatre Territory 10/1
15 ran Distances: 3¾l, 4l, 1¼l
Time: 6m 2.40s (slow by 8.40s)
Master Dee wins under Barry Geraghty for Fergal O’Brien
Having his first run for 105 days, Master Dee has been entered for several big races in the interim but hi s need for decent ground is well known and the surface at Kempton was clearly in his favour as he bounded clear of Ballykan to win by three and three-quarter lengths.
Outpaced in the early stages, Barry Geraghty was content to take his time on the second circuit before making a big move coming out of the back straight.
As Go Conquer gave way, Art Mauresque was left in front but he had no answer as Ballykan breezed past before Master Dee took control.
O'Brien said: "I'm very lucky to have great people around me and good horses.
"This horse has been ready to run for three months and the Rooneys (owners) have let me wait and do what we wanted.
"I could have run him two weeks ago and we decided to wait. It's paid off and I'm over the moon."
Geraghty told ITV Racing: "I think I'm four from four in these colours.
"I was pretty much outpaced all the way, but I just sat and he jumped nicely. With a circuit to go I thought we had no chance, but halfway down the back straight, he started to pick up.
"Turning in I was fairly happy he was coming alive."
Jason Maguire, racing manager for Paul and Clare Rooney, said: "Obviously he hasn't run since Aintree, when he ran well, as we were waiting for the ground.
"His form had been over two and a half, but over three miles here, the sharp track has helped, as has the drying ground.
"Barry gave him a lovely, patient ride, let them get on with it in front and he's come home well.
"We'll see how he comes out of this before deciding about Cheltenham. As he goes on nice ground, he could go to Aintree or even Punchestown."
Betdaq Handicap Chase
£100,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in Places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Master Dee (IRE) 8/1 | B J Geraghty 11-5 |
F O'Brien | 9 | |
| 2nd | 3¾ | Ballykan 14/1 | D A Jacob 10-7 |
N A Twiston-Davies | 8 |
| 3rd | 4 | Theatre Territory (IRE) 10/1 | Mr S Waley-Cohen (3) 10-6 |
W Greatrex | 8 |
| 4th | 1¼ | Art Mauresque (FR) 10/1 | Harry Cobden 11-10 |
P F Nicholls | 8 |
| 5th | 1½ | Go Conquer (IRE) 16/1 | Aidan Coleman 11-11 |
Jonjo O'Neill | 9 |
| 6th | 3¾ | Relentless Dreamer (IRE) 33/1 | C Gethings 10-11 |
Miss R Curtis | 9 |
| 7th | ¾ | Vibrato Valtat (FR) 33/1 | L P Aspell 11-7 |
Miss E C Lavelle | 9 |
| 8th | 10 | Label Des Obeaux (FR) 14/1 | Wayne Hutchinson 11-9 |
A King | 7 |
| 9th | nse | Acting Lass (IRE) 7/2f | N D Fehily 11-9 |
H Fry | 7 |
| 10th | 6 | As De Mee (FR) 20/1 | Sean Bowen 11-9 |
P F Nicholls | 8 |
| 11th | 16 | Tintern Theatre (IRE) 5/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies 10-12 |
N A Twiston-Davies | 7 |
| 12th | 20 | Loose Chips 20/1 | Paul O'Brien (5) 10-13 |
C E Longsdon | 12 |
| PU | Theatre Guide (IRE) 20/1 | T J O'Brien 11-12 |
C L Tizzard | 11 | |
| PU | Josses Hill (IRE) 12/1 | Nico de Boinville 11-10 |
N J Henderson | 10 | |
| PU | Monbeg Charmer (IRE) 16/1 | Jonathan Burke 10-8 |
C E Longsdon | 7 |
