NOT before time, the quality of female jockeys is being acknowledged throughout British racing. Bryony Frost enjoyed another splendid afternoon as Frodon won the big handicap chase, while Lizzie Kelly rode a fine finish on Agrapart, who outlasted Wholestone in the Grade 2 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle.
A minute’s silence was observed following the death of trainer Richard Woollacott at only 40 earlier in the week. It would have been a perfect result if his Beer Goggles, a shock winner at Newbury, had been able to make all the running again but he hung right for much of the way and weakened.
Several were in with a chance at the top of the hill, with Ellmarie Holden’s Ex Patriot right there until his stamina gave out.
Punters gave Colin Tizzard’s Finian’s Oscar, back over hurdles, another chance but the 11/4 favourite did not improve for the tongue-tie and found little and was pulled up before the last.
Consequently it was Wholestone and Agrapart who turned for home in front, the former having prevailed in the Relkeel here last time. However, Agrapart – much travelled, especially to France – was 3lbs better this time and finally edged three lengths clear as Kelly matched Daryl Jacob stride for stride.
“I love riding Agrapart as he tries so hard,” the jockey said. “He travelled so well. I got to the front too soon but once this horse gets his head in front he doesn’t like being beaten.”
Wholestone will probably take his chance in the Stayers’ Hurdle but Agrapart would need it soft and trainer Nick Williams did not enter him.
“He’s hard to place and this was very much the target,” the trainer admitted.
An emotional Kelly was full of praise for Woollacott, a Devon neighbour and regular rival in the point-to-point field.
“We’re all heartbroken,” she said. “The only outside winner I ever had (Williams is her step-father) was riding for Richard Woollacott in a ladies’ race at Huntingdon. He was a great person, always offering to give Mum a hand if she needed it. At least this opens the door for conversation about mental health and makes us more aware that people can hide the problems.”
Paul Nicholls’ Frodon is a regular here, always keeping very good company. The Grade 3 Crest Nicholson Handicap Chase over two mile and five furlongs proved ideal for him and he strode home for Bryony Frost, kicking right away in the closing stages to beat Shantou Flyer by 17 lengths.
Frost seems to humour and educate horses and Frodon raced kindly for her, jumping superbly and saving ground around the inner. He would be set a very stiff task in any of the festival handicaps and may well go for the Ryanair. On the handicapping front, third-placed King’s Odyssey, benefiting from Barry Geraghty’s handling, and fifth home O O Seven are both worth noting in March.
SHAKIRA SEES IT OUT
The Nicky Henderson bandwagon rolls merrily along and he won both novice hurdles. Triumph favourite Apple’s Shakira finally forged clear (at 1/7) in the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Trial, despite hating the ground, while Santini retained his unbeaten record in the Grade 2 Ballymore Classic Novices’ Hurdle.
Seemingly held by Black Op after the last, he stayed on courageously to prevail by three-parts of a length, with the others a mile behind.
Apple’s Shakira, 7/2 favourite for the juvenile hurdle championship, showed great determination to get past Look My Way. She looks a class act but winning on this ground had limited significance. Santini heads for the Albert Bartlett but Henderson already sees him as an RSA horse for next year.
The Henrietta Knight-Mick Channon link endures and Mister Whitaker, educated by the Gold Cup-winning trainer but looked after by the former England footballer now, handled the ground well when beating Theatre Territory in the Novices’ Handicap Chase.