Go with Flow BAILEY EYES FESTIVAL GLORY
MOMENT TO SAVOUR: David Bass celebrates after First Flow’s win at Ascot yesterday
FIRST FLOW showed he is the new kid on the block for the big two-mile championship honours after slamming a host of stars in the Matchbook Clarence House Chase at Ascot.
Partnered by David Bass, he jumped for fun when kicking mud in the eye of reigning Champion Chase winner Politologue, the second home, with Waiting Patiently back in third place.
“I was absolutely staggered,” said winning trainer Kim Bailey.
“To go and win five handicaps and now a Grade One is
★FORMER
unbelievable.”
Victory was very smart Flat performer
much a return to the Tritonic emerged as a
glory days for leading player for the
Bailey, who last Triumph Hurdle after making a
celebrated Grade winning debut over jumps when
One success 26 taking the Juvenile Hurdle at Ascot
years ago with in the hands of Adrian Heskins.
Master Oats in Now generally 16-1 for the
the Cheltenham Triumph, the gelding’s trainer
Gold Cup and Alan King clearly knows what
Alderbrook in the is required, having already
Champion Hurdle. won the juvenile
Winning jockey Bass contest twice.
said: “To win today means a lot. I said I would ride a Grade One winner for Kim but I didn’t think it would take as long as it has.”
The pair clearly respect each other as Bailey added: “I had an irate punter ring me up the other day to tell me my jockey is a complete duffer.
“I’m now waiting for him to call me back as that was a fantastic ride from David today.”
Having also trained Mr Frisk to win the 1990 Grand National, Bailey would love to complete the full set in jump racing’s headline acts.
“We really do have to think about the Festival and the Champion Chase for First Flow now,” added Bailey.
“I had previously been thinking about going for a handicap at Doncaster on Friday!”
Bass has no doubts about having a crack at the Champion Chase.
He said: “Bring it on. Why not after what he’s done out there today?”
Dashel Drasher produced a tenacious performance to make every yard of the running and record a second Ascot triumph this season with victory in the bet365 Handicap Chase.
The Jeremy Scotttrained star jumped left at several of the fences, only to pull out extra under Matt Griffiths and hold Bennys King by a length and a quarter.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is now under consideration for Royale Pagaille after Tom Scudamore guided him to a flawless victory in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.
But winning trainer Venetia Williams has yet to give the green light for the gelding, who is now 14-1 from 25-1 for the chasing crown.