Trabolgan clears the last.
TRABOLGAN THE CHASE ACE
By
Trabolgan recovered from a mistake at the second-last fence to take the Royal &
SunAlliance Chase and give trainer Nicky Henderson his first winner at this
year's Festival.
Despite Trabolgan's error, Mick Fitzgerald was still able to bring him
through to take over from long-time leader Comply Or Die at the last.
Comply Or Die rallied up the hill, but Trabolgan (5-1) had enough in reserve
to win by three lengths, with Cornish Rebel a similar distance away in third.
Brave Spirit led over the first two fences before Timmy Murphy decided to give
3-1 favourite Comply Or Die his head, letting Martin Pipe's runner go on.
Comply Or Die jumped big and bold and took the field out on the second
circuit, but Tribal Venture fell at the 12th fence, hampering Light Des
Mulottes.
Backbeat, who was in rear, put his hind legs in the water, the 13th, and was
pulled up by Graham Lee.
The race began in earnest at the fourth-last as Like-A-Butterfly and Trabolgan
appeared to be travelling well, with L'Ami and Cornish Rebel close up.
But it developed into a duel, with Trabolgan staying on better than Comply Or
Die to strike for owner Trevor Hemmings.
A delighted Fitzgerald said: "It doesn't get any better than this. I'm so
pleased for the boss and Trevor Hemmings.
"We've always had the world of faith in this fellow. He was always our best
chance and he's as genuine as the day is long. I thought I was gone at the
second-last."
Henderson said: "He's the most lovely, lovely horse. Experience has been the
one thing he has been lacking and it showed a little bit today. Mick said the
second-last was a bit scary.
"He's still learning and is still a baby. It's nice to get a winner on the
board."
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