Wednesday Market Rasen review

Different win for Thomas

Dylan Johnston inched closer to riding out his claim after C’Est Different continued his progression from last season when making a winning return to action in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

After improving for a switch to handicaps with wins at Carlisle and Chepstow during the second half of last season the Sam Thomas-trained five-year-old was sent off 9/4 to strike gold in the £32,500 contest.

And despite having stamina to prove on his first start over two miles and seven furlongs the gelded son of Manatee answered those questions in emphatic fashion when turning the race into a one horse show late on.

Taking up matters heading for home the final time the Dai Walters-owned gelding looked to have a fight on his hands as Lavida Adiva loomed up as a serious challenger on the run down to the second last.

However, C’Est Different quickly saw off her challenge after the last before scampering away under Johnston to score by eight and a half lengths from favourite Tranquil Sea.

Johnston, who has less than five winners to riding out his claim, said: “I thought he might have progressed nicely over the summer. He was a bit of a work in progress last season, but he got the hang of things eventually and it is nice to win a nice enough pot with him.

"He has grown up over the summer and hopefully we haven’t got to the end of him yet.

“We were in the unknown trip wise, but I didn’t think there was loads of pace on paper. You wouldn’t believe it, but he is actually quite strongly flat bred so I wanted to be there so I could kick and put it to bed.

“Looking at him coming in from the summer we thought he could be anything. I’m not shocked, but at the same time he has done it very nicely for me.”

And although C’Est Different would need a fair hike in the weights to get into the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Johnston feels he could sneak into the race if continuing his progression.

He added: “I actually think in a better race off a stronger gallop he would be better following a few more as he is still big and raw. Hopefully, in a better race, we could ride him half-way and we could improve again.

“I think one hundred and twenty-four was bottom weight in the Pertemps last season so he has a way to go to get into it, but he is off to a good start."

Nothing to worry about

Faye Bramley admitted she was "on cloud nine" after Paggane put in a near foot perfect round of jumping to secure the second Listed success of her career in the Pertemps Network Bud Booth Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen.

Having enjoyed a spin around Newbury last week under now retired 20-time champion National Hunt jockey Sir Anthony McCoy, the daughter of Muhaarar added to her win in the pricedup.bet Houghton Mares’ Chase at Carlisle with a stylish success in the £35,000 feature.

On paper the race looked like a match between the six-year-old, who joined Bramley from Willie Mullins in the summer, and last year’s winner Marsh Wren, who was making her first start since scoring in the race 12 months ago.

And for much of the three mile test it proved that way with Marsh Wren cutting out the early running under Charlie Hammond with Harry Cobden sitting close by on the even-money favourite.

However, the race quickly changed complexion as the field headed for home with Paggane breezing past Marsh Wren in almost effortless fashion into a lead she would hold all the way to the line on the run down to the third last.

Although getting in slightly close at the last it failed to halt the momentum of Paggane, who barely needed to get out of second gear before going on to score by eight and a half lengths from the staying on Minniemum.

Bramley said: “We just put her in the Coral Gold Cup to have a look, but it was a big ask, however the owners were happy to enter her in everything.

“She just keeps improving and I can’t get my head around it. She had good form for Willie and I’m just hoping to keep it up and she is doing just that.

“I’m a worrier, but turning in I thought okay, we’re on so I’m delighted.

“I just can’t believe it and I’m on cloud nine at the moment, I really am. She is a star and I love her.”

Following the race Paggane was cut from 16/1 into 12/1 for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival by the race sponsor. However, Bramley admitted she will be kept at Listed level on her next start for a tilt at the Download The Raceday Ready App Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster on December 29.

She added: “Her path would be Listed chases and with her rating it would be easy to map out her future so it was here and if all went well today, and it has, then we would go to Doncaster at the end of next month.

“That is a seventy-five thousand pound race so we will see what the Irish bring over and how she gets on there. I thought after today it would be Doncaster then we will see what we do as I’m only just learning my way, and finding my feet training, as it is my first full season.”

Brix solid at Market Rasen

Owners Tom Ford and Robert Peters had a double cause for celebration following the victory of Brixson in the Pertemps Network ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Not only was it a first victory for the Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith-trained five-year-old, but he became the fourth individual winner out of mare Brixen, who the pair also own.

After finding only Cave Bridge too strong on his previous start at Wetherby the 7/4 favourite made no mistake on this occasion with a clearcut seven length success in the extended two mile test.

Ford said: “Andrew Lynch schools them all over in Ireland, but the person that gets them ready over there is Claire O’Connell and they both deserve a mention alongside Joel and Sue.

“The mare of this lad had bred four winners. We keep her over in Ireland and that seems to work well.

“We knew we had a great chance coming here today. Gavin (Sheehan) just kept it simple as he rode the horse last time. I suspect we will find another one of these types of races next.”

Bowen hits double bull

Barely a day goes by without Sean Bowen riding a winner and the reigning champion jockey was at it again at the Lincolnshire venue after bagging a double completed with victory aboard Moore Brion in the concluding Pertemps Network Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Backed as if defeat was out of the question, the 8/13 favourite, who is owned by Graeme Moore along with Kate and Andrew Brooks, duly obliged when taking the extended two mile test by a length and a half from Hidden Fortune.

Murphy said: "He is a nice horse that had been showing me all the right signs home. He is a big, raw, weak horse that will improve for time. He won’t be seen until the spring, if again this season, as we will mind him. He doesn’t look like he should be winning a sprint, but he is a lovely horse.

“It is great to have Kate and Andrew back in the yard as I trained them my first Grade One winner (Itchy Feet).”

Lelant (15/8 favourite), from the Evan Williams yard, had earlier got the ball rolling for Bowen when scoring by four and three quarter lengths in the Pertemps Network Novices’ Handicap Chase.

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