CANNINGTON BROOK held on by the skin of his teeth to provide Tom O’Brien with a great spare ride in the Maxilead Metals Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock.
The winner is trained by Colin Tizzard, and his son Joe would normally be in the saddle but he chose to go to Ascot to ride Hell’s Bay.
Still only a novice, the seven-year-old was providing another boost to the form of Rebecca Curtis’s Teaforthree who had him back in third at Chepstow a fortnight ago.
Sent off a 3-1, he always looked to be travelling better than anything else and when long-time leader Pearlysteps fell when exhausted at the last, Cannington Brook was left in isolation.
However, his stride began to shorten rapidly, allowing Tim Vaughan’s Our Island to close to within a length at the line. The favourite Wymott never looked happy and was pulled up with half a mile to run.
“I’m delighted. He jumped and travelled nicely,” said O’Brien.
“We could have done with the other horse (Pearlysteps) standing up as my lad idled on his own. We had his measure when he fell but some company would have been nice.
“I must give credit to my agent as he was very keen on his chances.
“It was very hard work in that ground and I don’t think many horses want it that soft.”
Henry Daly was out of luck with Pearlysteps but his Safran De Cotte pulled off a long-term plan in the Maxilead Metals Supports Alder Hey Imagine Appeal Handicap Hurdle.
The grey is owned by the Timpson Family, guests of the Whittles, who sponsored the feature race.
Still only five, the 13-2 chance had run well behind the well regarded Poungach at Sandown and loved the conditions, staying on grimly in the straight to hold off the gallant Across The Bay, who tried to make all, by four and a half lengths.
“That’s been the plan since September,” said Daly.
“The owners are guests of the Whittles today so we were always going to come for this. He ran well last time and he needs the ground like this, nearly unraceable.
“We’ll step him up to three miles now and go chasing next season.”
Martin Todhunter is expecting his Storm Surge (9-2 co-favourite) to be hit hard by the handicapper after his victory from out of the weights in the Maxilead Metals Handicap Chase.
Second at Catterick on Tuesday, Lucy Alexander got a great tune out of the eight-year-old before he tired close home in winning by two-and-a-half lengths.
“I was a bit worried it might come too soon,” said Todhunter.
“The way the handicappers are these days, though, I know the handicapper will hammer him as they pulled a long way clear of the third (at Catterick). It wasn’t soft enough at Catterick, he wants it like this.
“Lucy gets on well with him, that’s her second win and she’s also been second on him from just four rides.”
There was a turn up in the three-runner novice chase when odds-on favourite Kudu Country fell at the fourth last, allowing Donald McCain’s Bunclody (7-4) to open his account over fences at the first time of asking.
“They all count,” said a relieved McCain.
“He didn’t appreciate the ground.”
Venetia Williams saddled her first winner of the month when Tenor Nivernais (3-1) was given a great front-running ride by Robbie Dunne in the Maxilead Metals Supports Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle.
CHRIS WRIGHT’S NAP: Lucky Dan (3.20pm Wolverhampton)
