Twiston-Davies outsider causes a Splash
SPLASH OF GINGE could have earned a tilt at the Grand National at Aintree after his 25-1 triumph in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained nine-year-old was racing from nearly the bottom of the weights and was overlooked by Jamie Bargary in favour of stablemate Foxtail Hill, who faded in the final half-mile, leaving Tom Bellamy to take the ride.
Splash Of Ginge was left in front with Starchitect rounding the turn for home and a couple of big leaps helped him hold off David Pipe’s runner by a neck, with Le Prezien third and Ballyalton fourth.
Twiston-Davies said: “He just lost his confidence over fences a bit so we put him back over hurdles and he’s come back this season like a bull.
“We’ll certainly be back in December and we may think again about the Grand National. John is a Liverpudlian, after all.”
Apple’s Shakira created a huge impression on her British debut when winning the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham.
A sister to the multiple Grade One-winning mare Apple’s Jade, the JP McManus-owned filly looks right out of the top drawer.
Trainer Nicky Henderson said: “I suppose the Triumph Hurdle is where she’ll finish off, but she won’t be hiding in her stable.”
Henderson’s Thomas Campbell later defied a 10lb higher mark to win the Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Black Corton gave Bryony Frost another big Saturday winner in the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase.
Elgin could try to give owners the Elite Racing Club another big pay-day at Ascot next month after winning the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday. Alan King’s five-year-old knuckled down admirably to hold off Misterton by a neck under an inspired ride by Wayne Hutchinson.
King said: “He won at Ascot and I was worried this might come a little bit quick, but he came out of it very well.”