Cheltenham Saturday review: Third Time Lucki wins again

Lucki wins again for Skelton

Third Time Lucki made it two from two over fences in the From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase but Betfair and Paddy Power were happy to leave him at 11/1 for the Sporting Life Arkle afterwards. Sky Bet went 8s from 10s.

Dan Skelton's charge jumped his way to the front under the trainer's brother Harry after three fences and looked set to run out an impressive winner turning in.

However he was kept up to his work on the run-in to beat Sebastapol by four-and-a-half lengths after nearest pursuer Captain Tom Cat came down at the last.

“Harry said he felt fantastic and that he’s a horse with a lot of natural pace. During my apprenticeship with Paul (Nicholls), Ruby (Walsh) always used to say there’s a difference between speed and pace and in a race pace is so important because you can go your speed very comfortably, which is what he can do.

“Going down the hill Harry started getting him under control, and then from three out to two out also. After the last he pricked his ears and got lonely, it was harder work today visually and while it is trainer chat he was actually fitter for the first day than today. I did a lot with him for the first day because I didn’t want to have him too fresh, so I pressed him a bit. I trusted him between then and now and I think he jumped the last and just had a blow.”

As for future plans, Skelton may now have a change of heart.

“Originally the plan was to go to the Henry VIII after this, but whether that will happen now, I don’t know. I need to talk to Mike (Newbould, owner). I could wait for Kempton, which I know is a Grade Two and Sandown a Grade One but the ground will have a big bearing – he won’t run on soft or heavy,” said Skelton.

“We could even wait for Doncaster (Lightning Novices’ Chase) and then come back here. Appreciate It is top of the (Arkle) market and we’ve got to see what he does. We want to go to the Arkle and hopefully it all works out. I was set in my mind to go Sandown and Warwick (Kingmaker) after today, but having watched that I just like the idea of him super fresh. I can do loads with him at home and the best route might be Kempton and then here. Maybe.”

Regarding My Drogo Skelton said: “He’s fine, he trotted up before he left here last night and trotted up at home this morning. He’s 100 per cent. When he skidded all his legs skidded in the right direction, no legs went under him or anything, I spoke to (owner) Brian Acheson this morning and his horse Gin On Lime is fine, too.

“It was an unusual experience, but everyone is all right so we go again. I don’t think Drogo lost anything in defeat or disaster, whatever it was, so we just move on.”

John shines back over hurdles

Sporting John made a triumphant switch from chasing with a confidence-boosting display in the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle.

Philip Hobbs’ charge had disappointed in both his races over fences after winning the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. Freshened up after 218 days, Sporting John (9-2) powered up the hill to beat Onagatheringstorm by two and a half lengths in the hands of Tom O’Brien.

The 3/1 favourite Ballymillsy set the pace until he ran out of steam, while the well-fancied Proschema fell at the second-last flight when in contention.

Hobbs said: “We had him entered in one or two chases but we couldn’t find anything that was competitive, they were all small fields, so it made more sense to run here and it will have given him confidence going over hurdles. Last season was in and out, but he did win a Grade One at Sandown so it wasn’t a disaster. We just couldn’t find a race to get him under way over fences.

“Staying hurdling is certainly a possibility, but I wouldn’t rule out going back over fences. On the other hand he could be a high-class hurdler.

“I’ve no idea where we go from here. Having Thyme Hill won’t affect anything, I’d love two runners in the Stayers’ Hurdle! Thyme Hill will go for the Long Walk next. He’s perfectly all right after Auteuil. I don’t think it was the French hurdles, more the very heavy ground.”

Road to glory for local team

Local success came in the sixth race of the day when Gowel Road won the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle for the Nigel Twiston-Davies team. The five year old came home strongly for a two-and-a-half length success under Sam Twiston-Davies at 9/2.

The winning trainer admitted he had come close to withdrawing the son of Flemensfirth on account of the going today. He said: “There was no disagreement at all. Sam got off the horse before and said ‘this ground is fast and he’s better on softer ground, take him out’. I rang one of the owners and he said ‘no, we’ll go for it’ and thank goodness we did!

“We always thought he’d stay the trip and he’s always been a lovely horse – the softer the ground, the better. Let’s hope he carries on going up the ranks, the handicapper will have his say now. He jumped well beautifully bar one and next season he’ll almost certainly be going over fences. We’ll wait and go home and see now, but we’ll look at all of the top handicaps.”

Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies added: “Luckily I have a father who doesn’t ever listen to me! I asked him to pull him out after the last race but Steve Wignall who owns him along with dad said to leave him and take his chance, and if it wasn’t to be we’d come down the handicap.

“We were literally going out there to have a nice time and he’s ended up winning, so sometimes you just can’t write it. The step up in trip has suited him and he’s jumped and travelled so well today, so hopefully he carries on progressing.”

Salute slashed for Triumph

Knight Salute stretched his unbeaten record over timber to three with a taking win in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

Milton Harris' charge made stealthy headway on the bridle under Paddy Brennan and trailed only favourite Magistrato jumping the final flight.

The market leader was to weaken up the hill but the 4/1 winner found plenty once let down, storming home to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths from Saint Riquer (50/1) and the fast-finishing Yorksea (33/1).

The winner was halved in price by Betfair and Paddy Power to 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle itself back here in March. Sky Bet were more impressed and go 14/1 from 33s.

“It’s quite emotional really, because it’s been a tough road,” he said. “He’s a good horse, he’s got a bit of pace and if there’s a better tactical rider in the weighing room than Paddy Brennan then I don’t know him.

“I said to him to be last man and I thought he’d got there too soon. We might go to something like the Adonis or we might just leave it to the spring. He looks like he’s all right.

"He was given a mark of 91 after his first two races on the Flat and he struggled, but Andrew Balding was very open with me and said he’s by Sir Percy out of an Unfuwain mare so he’s crying out for a trip.

"I said to Paddy if you get to the back of the last with them you’ll win because you’ll be quicker than the rest, and he was.”

He added: “I think I’ve won this race before in the past. This is my second go and life is like that sometimes. Some people aren’t lucky enough to get a second chance. We’ve got some nice horses. I’ve got some brilliant owners, but relative to the game they’ve got no money. This lad isn’t going to win the Gold Cup, but he might win a Triumph Hurdle.”

Brennan secured a first- and last-race double when 2/1 favourite Bonttay ensured punters went home happy after the Stirrups Restaurant And Cocktail Bar Evesham Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Fergal O’Brien’s four-year-old had also won at the October meeting and now has a return in March on her agenda for the championship event.

Brennan, who saluted the crowd on crossing the line said: “She’s a nice filly. She was favourite, it’s the last race and the crowd and the atmosphere have been unbelievable today, so I hope they all went home on winner.”

O’Brien, who also saddled the second, Leading Theatre, said: “I own a bit of Bonttay so I was probably shouting a bit more for her. I got in trouble for not getting her to do a circuit of the paddock, but she’s a hot mare so while rules are rules I’m happy to take the fine. I will be in March, too!”

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