Bobby Renton Handicap Chase
Wetherby 15:45 £10,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 85y, Class 3
Wednesday 18th October 2017

1 Ballotin 13/2
2 Monbeg River 4/1
3 Delusionofgrandeur 3/1
7 ran Distances: nk, 12, 8 NR: Gabrial The Great
Winning time: 4m 57.80s (slow by 12.80s)

Amateur rider David Maxwell was thrilled to steer Ballotin to a narrow success in the Bobby Renton Handicap Chase.

The 39-year-old has been a regular participant in hunter chases in recent years aboard horses he owns, most notably steering the high-class Mendip Express to third place in the Fox Hunters’ Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree in 2016.

The Philip Hobbs-trained Ballotin, formerly a smart performer in France, has also been bought to go down the hunter chase route, but could make up into a useful handicapper first judged on his winning British debut in West Yorkshire.

The 13-2 chance was strongly pressed by Monbeg River after the final fence, but dug deep to prevail by a neck.

“It’s a great thrill to ride against professionals and it’s massive for me to win a race like this,” said Maxwell.

“It’s the most fun you could have with your clothes on!”

Of Ballotin, he added: “He’s a very good jumper – he has to be with me on his back! I bought him to go hunter chasing but he can’t do that this season because he’s won a bit too much prize-money in France.

Bobby Renton Handicap Chase
£10,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 85y, Class 3,
7 ran
Going: Good (Watered)

Pos	D	Horse	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Ballotin (FR) 13/2	Mr D Maxwell (7) 11-12	P J Hobbs	6
2nd	nk	Monbeg River (IRE) 4/1	Henry Brooke 11-1	M Todhunter	8
3rd	12	Delusionofgrandeur (IRE) 3/1	Danny Cook 11-8	Mrs S J Smith	7
4th	8	Katgary (FR) 8/1	Mr L Quinlan (7) 11-10	Miss P Robson	7
5th	hd	After Hours (IRE) 11/4f	J M Davies 10-7	Henry Oliver	8
6th	57	Straidnahanna (IRE) 14/1	Sean Quinlan 11-9	Mrs S J Smith	8
PU		Definite Future (IRE) 12/1	J E Moore 11-10	Kerry Lee	8
NR		Gabrial The Great (IRE)	Non Runner 11-11	D Pipe	8