A review of the rest of the New Year's Day meeting at Cheltenham as Hillcrest made a big impression in the opener.
Giant Hillcrest makes big impression
Hillcrest made just about all the running to remain unbeaten this season in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle – the first race at Cheltenham in 2022.
Trained by Henry Daly, the seven-year-old lacks nothing in size and clearly has his fair share of ability as well.
Having won at Aintree and Wetherby this season, he was sent off a 3/1 chance to handle the step up to Listed company.
Richard Patrick bounced him out into an early lead and he appeared to be going well within himself for much of the contest.
The Nicky Henderson-trained favourite I Am Maximus, who had sweated up beforehand and raced on and off the bridle, looked a threat entering the straight but Hillcrest towered above him.
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While the favourite briefly hit the front for a few strides, Patrick had not asked his mount for everything and when he did there was still plenty left in the tank and he pulled two lengths clear.
Betfair introduced the winner at 25/1 for the Ballymore in March and 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett.
“He’s taller than my measuring stick will go, and when he arrived at the yard he weighed in at 693 kilos. Most of mine are 520 (kg), which puts it into perspective,” said Daly.
“He’s big and he’s very talented. He’s had a lob round and Richard never had to pick up his stick.
“He doesn’t have to make the running and he’s got a great mind on him. I just wanted to see what he was like on an undulating track.
“When you think what a chaser looks like, it will look like him. He’s a real Trevor (Hemmings) horse.”
Full Back scores for the Moores
Gary Moore’s Full Back stayed on dourly to win the New Four Eighty Restaurant At Cheltenham Festival Handicap Chase.
Sent off the 9/2 joint-favourite, he may have been slightly fortunate as Venetia Williams’ Destinee Royale was going great guns in front before coming down before the turn for home.
The Wolf stayed on after the last to challenge but was still two and a quarter lengths down at the line.
“I thought he ran well in the Hennessy (Ladbrokes Trophy) in which he made a few careless mistakes, but the slower ground helped him with his jumping today,” said Moore.
“We had luck on our side as it started raining heavy when we reached Lambourn and I rang the owner about pulling him out, but he said we should run.
“It’s good for him to get his head in front. He has one or two issues but they didn’t show themselves today.”
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Maxwell denies Kansas fairytale
Amateur rider David Maxwell gained compensation for his misjudgement aboard Cat Tiger at Doncaster on Wednesday when galvanising Dolphin Square to glory in the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle.
After going too early at Town Moor aboard Cat Tiger, the enthusiastic amateur timed his fractions to perfection on this occasion when delivering the Philip Hobbs-trained 28/1 chance with a well-timed late challenge to deny Kansas City Chief by a length and a quarter.
Maxwell said: “I made a complete mess up at Doncaster on Wednesday. I looked up at what I thought was two out and saw three fences ahead of me and I knew I’d gone too soon.
“I got the rollocking Paul Nicholls gave me, by which I mean that he rollocked Harry Derham for not giving me the right instructions which he gave me in full measure.
“The instructions were right but the execution was wrong but that is race riding you make a mistake and you learn from it. I will remember at Doncaster next time not to go too soon.
“He (Dolphin Square) is such a game horse. He is as game as a badger and I just knew as long as I held onto the back of them he would take me up the hill.
“On this ground I fancied it to suit him. He is such a trier. You couldn’t ask for a more willing racehorse.
“To people who say jump racing in this country isn’t in rude health look here today and in March. This is wonderful.”
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Music hits the right note
Fergal O'Brien has an impressive record in Cheltenham bumpers and enhanced it when saddling the first and third home in the Pony Club "Junior" National Hunt Flat Race.
It appeared as though Iliade Allen had stolen a march on her rivals as she skipped clear at the head of affairs while Paddy Brennan had asked Poetic Music (7/2 favourite) to come from a long way back.
Brennan didn't panic though and she gradually made inroads despite showing signs of inexperience, getting on top close home to win by a length and a half.
She is now unbeaten in three starts while stablemate Mamoon Star also looks a promising individual having flashed home to take third.
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