CZABO SOMEHOW GOT WIN
CZABO ran down favourite Somehow in the final furlong to take Group Three honours in the Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes at Naas.
Fourth in last season’s Irish 1000 Guineas, the Mick Channon-trained filly showed she had benefited from a race at Saint-Cloud two weeks ago when sticking to her task in good style.
Graham Lee timed his challenge to perfection as Czabo (8-1) defeated the Aidan O’Brien-trained 7-4 favourite by half a length. Flying Fairies was third in a scintillating race that had viewers guessing all the way.
The trainer’s son, Michael Channon junior, said: “We took her to Saint-Cloud a few weeks ago but she was too free for the first half a mile and it was a complete wasted effort.
“But I just spoke to David Wachman, part-owner, and he said it was a great prep run taking her all the way to Paris.
“She has done it very nicely and we had fitness on our side. That definitely helped. We have a fairly moderate band of broodmares but he (Sixties Icon, sire) has improved them all.
“We wanted to get her going early as she had that Esher Cup form early last year in soft ground and ran well in the Guineas.”
Former Grand National winning jockey Lee recalled it was 25 years since he had his first ride at Naas.
He said: “I knew I had my first ride here. I checked and it was January 25, 1992 – 25 years ago.
“The ground is very tough but she has big old feet and she coped with it well.”
Meanwhile, Noel Fehily is relishing the chance to partner leading fancy Blaklion in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.
With Sam Twiston-Davies electing to ride Gold Cup fifth Saphir Du Rheu in the world’s greatest steeplechase on April 8, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has turned to Fehily, who enjoyed a spectacular Cheltenham Festival.
He managed to claim the Champion Hurdle on Buveur D’Air and the Champion Chase on Special Tiara.
Blaklion won the RSA Chase last year and has this season run with credit without getting his head in front, most recently finishing second to National favourite Vieux Lion Rouge in the National Trial at Haydock, giving the winner 6lb.
Fehily said: “It’s a great ride to pick up. I watched the race at Haydock – he jumped very neat and he has a bit of class as well which always helps. Hopefully he’ll be a good ride.”