CATTERICK HUNTER CHASE WINNER!
Many congratulations to The Frank family and Philip Dennis with an impressive victory from Rosie du Berlais in the Hunter Chase at Catterick. She hadn’t run for over 300 days but there was no fitness issue and she galloped her rivals into submission, galloping all the way to the line. This was Philip’s first winner for us, and his riding did not go un-noticed by the Racing UK team, it was a polished, confident ride and clearly both horse and jockey have tons of potential. Hopefully its the first of many winners for Philip on our horses, he is likely to turn conditional at the end of the pointing season and the 10lbs he will claim for the yard will be a great asset.
I like the heading above this photo ‘the winning streak’! perhaps it was a good omen! We have now had 3 winners in 3 days (and 24 so far for the jumps season.)
Rosie du berlais in the paddock
Racing Post comment: ROSIE DU BERLAIS, 1-12 in points, was returning from an 11-month break since falling the previous April, and had joined the up-and-coming yard of Philip Kirby prior this debut under rules. She was waited with racing with enthusiasm in midfield, and took over going strongly down the back on the final circuit. Her jumping over the first two fences in the home straight was a sight to behold, and she had plenty left in the locker to overcome pitching on landing when getting in too low at the last.
QUOTES: Trainer Phil Kirby on Rosie Du Berlais: She´s a decent mare. I was going to run her in a novice hurdle but this seemed ideal for her. She jumps well
Sarah Olley with Rosie du Berlais – photo by keith Foster
In to the winners spot – a dream first Hunter Chase win for Philip Dennis at one of his most local tracks – photo by keith Foster
Toola Boola ran a nice race for a staying on fourth in the bumper won by the Carberry ridden Irish mare. Philip Dennis deputised for an off colour Adam Nicol and he gave the mare a nice ride for her first racecourse experience. Here she is in the paddock with Eva. Many thanks to Keith Foster for these fantastic photos, full size ones can be bought from his website, link to the right of this page!
Some of the mares are leaving for Rathbarry stud in Ireland tomorrow, and Lady Chapp (unraced daughter of NELL GWYN Newmarket winner, A-to-Z) and the mother of Lady Buttons had a bath, she wasn’t too impressed but she certainly looked better for it. What a fantastic looking mare she is, so well bred on the flat and at least 16.2hh. The dam has also bred top class hurdler Royal Alphabet (rated 144) and top class flat horse, Red Spell – listed placed rated 104. Hopefully she will get safely in foal to Robin des Champs.
Lady Chapp by High Chaparral
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Earlier news:
We are looking forward to our mares running at our local track this afternoon, both have nice each way chances. capable young Amateur, Philip Dennis may get his first winner for us today, he partners Rosie du Berlais in the HC and he may also switch to Toola Boola as Adam Nicol is not well this morning. There has been a nasty bug going round and Phil was also feeling decidedly rough this morning as he left for Middleham at 6 am, hopefully this will improve as the day goes on!!!!
Here are a few more shots in the sunshine yesterday.
Devotion to Duty gleaming in the sun
New Kings Theate filly
