Dee master with Kempton victory

THE memorable season being enjoyed by trainer Fergal O’Brien continued apace as Master Dee (above) came fast and late to win the valuable Betdaq Handicap Chase at Kempton.

Having already bagged a first Grade One victory and serenely coasting towards a best-ever tally, O’Brien’s patience was rewarded.

Master Dee had been entered in several big Saturday handicaps since he last ran in November only to not appear among the final declarations.

However, with the ground generally good, Master Dee quickened up nicely for jockey Barry Geraghty to beat Ballykan but Cheltenham is not on his agenda.

“We could have gone to Ascot but I’m lucky to have Jason (Maguire, racing manager) and Paul and Clare Rooney (owners) who have stuck by and got faith in me and gave me the confidence to wait and come here,” said O’Brien.

“I was a little bit worried about the ground as they had the covers on and that can make it dead but he has gone through it well. He was good and brave at the last two and Barry had plenty of horse underneath him. I was delighted with that.

“Possibly we will go to Aintree for the Topham. Barry doesn’t think Cheltenham will be his track and we never thought it would be. We will enjoy the Kempton win. It is a big pot for us and it has been a fantastic season so far.”

Alan King looks to have solid claims of winning a third JCB Triumph Hurdle after Redicean proved a cut above his rivals when maintaining his unbeaten record with a seven-length success in the Grade Two Betdaq #ChangingForTheBettor Adonis Juvenile Hurdle.

King said of the victor: “His jumping was very slick. When he got in tight, he was very quick through the air.

“I’ve not deliberately just kept coming here, it was just that’s the way it suited.”

Ben Pauling was rewarded for his decision to pitch Global Citizen into Grade Two company following his impressive nine length success in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.

Baywing returned to winning ways with a smooth display in the Betfred Eider Chase at Newcastle.

Winner of the Towton Novices’ Chase last season, he had failed to succeed again in five subsequent starts but had shown a glimpse of promise last time out over a trip just short of three miles.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: “After he won the Towton, though it was a good race to win at the time, it sort of limited our options to get experience into him. I’ve always thought he was a talented horse.

“Since then we’ve worked away well, we’ve had this race in our minds for a while, and it’s great when it works out.”