CAPTAIN OF INDUSTRY
Chaos stays on to bring some order
CAPTAIN CHAOS finally had his day in the sun as he landed a deserved success in the 888Sport Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster.
Placed in a host of big staying races, Dan Skelton’s nine-year-old put the record straight as he came home unchallenged to score by
54 lengths from runner-up Worthy Farm.
Captain Chaos (9-2) had put up a sterling effort when second to leading Grand National fancy Kimberlite Candy in the Classic Chase at Warwick seven weeks ago.
And he backed that up with an impressive performance, even though the race had been reduced to just seven runners, mainly due to the testing conditions.
Pulling further and further away in the straight, he was eased down on the run-in by Harry Skelton.
Worthy Farm, the 9-4 favourite, was second, with Yalltari the only other finisher,
38 lengths away.
The winning trainer said: “He’s been second in so many big races. He put it all out there at Warwick but he’s been second in two Rehearsals, second in a Rowland Meyrick and has been a real star for us without quite having his big day. He’s got it today.
“Fair play to the owners Mike and Eileen Newbould. They were mad keen to run here. To win a nice staying handicap is great for the horse as well and he’s come back in as bright as he went out.
“As horses get older they perform better and are more consistent. I couldn’t be happier for the horse really.
“I’ve said to Mike the one race I have got an eye on is the last big chase of the season, the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
“I think the ground might be too quick for the Scottish National”
The winning rider said: “I’m delighted for the horse. He’s deserved that really.
“He’s knocked on the door in big races and I think he bumped into a proper National horse at Warwick. He’s a proper contender.
“You can see him there after the race. He’s bright-eyed and has got his ears pricked. He’s got a lot left.”
Earlier, Cill Anna showed great determination to take Listed honours in the 888Sport Take ‘Em On Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
The 4-6 favourite, trained by Paul Nicholls, had to fight all the way to land the odds, as Ziggy Rose put up a spirited battle over the extended three miles.
Cill Anna certainly had to dig deep but she kept finding for Harry Cobden to see off Ziggy Rose by half a length, in the process denying jockey Paddy Brennan a treble.