Mister McGoldrick heads to victory.
CHIEF FALL LETS IN MISTER McGOLDRICK
By
Mister McGoldrick produced a gutsy performance to claim an exciting renewal of
the skybet.com Castleford Chase at Wetherby on Monday as hot favourite Well Chief
crashed out at the fourth-last fence.
Sue Smith's charge looked to be under serious pressure turning for home, with
the 8-13 favourite cruising in behind for Timmy Murphy.
Coming to the fourth-last it looked to be a case of when Murphy would make his
move, but Well Chief brushed through the top of the fence and crumpled on
landing.
That left Mister McGoldrick in front, and Dominic Elsworth just had to keep
the 6-1 shot up to his work.
Elsworth gave him a crack before the last and the course specialist powered
away from Kadarann to record a sixth career win at Wetherby, with Armaturk back
in third.
Ladbrokes pushed Well Chief out to 9-2 from 7-2 for the Queen Mother Champion
Chase after his fall, while William Hill left him unchanged at 11-4 for the
Cheltenham Festival event.
Hills have installed Mister McGoldrick as a 33-1 chance for the race, while
Ladbrokes and vc bet both cut his odds to 20s.
However, Mrs Smith indicated Mister McGoldrick is unlikely to make a trip to
the Cotswolds any time soon.
She said: "He loves it round here, whether it's two miles or two and a half,
and he can handle this soft ground so we had a home advantage.
"He doesn't do very well at Cheltenham, so we would just like them to put on
another nice race around here for him."
Elsworth added: "I thought I was beaten turning in but he just kept on going
and he loves this ground.
"Cheltenham does not suit him, but he loves it round here."
Well Chief's trainer Martin Pipe was making a first trip to Wetherby and he
was just glad to see his horse return home in one piece.
He said: "He looks fine. I was just glad to see him get up."
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