American’s fragile talent drawn out
American, ridden by Noel Fehily, on the way to winning the Betfred TV Novices Handicap Steeple Chase at Uttoxeter yesterday HARRY Fry is thinking of races such as mug. I imagine that is probably it for the switched to the smaller obstacles by the Hennessy Gold Cup next season for season, as he is unlikely to get his ground. trainer Philip Hobbs with a two-length American after his hugely talented but We will look forward to having a smart verdict over Ballyarthur in the Betfred fragile performer put up a classy weightsecond-season chaser on our hands next ‘Racing’s Biggest Supporter’ National carrying display at Uttoxeter. year.” Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.
The Seaborough trainer has to be careHe added: “Something like the HenJohnson missed out on a four-timer ful picking races for the seven-year-old, nessy could be for him. We will be lookwhen beaten into second place in the who has to have plenty of give in the ing at all those sorts of races. Hopefully bumper on Victarion by Gavin Sheehan ground, which is why he missed the RSA the handicapper won’t get too carried and Portrush Ted for trainer Warren GreChase at Cheltenham earlier in the week. away.” atrex.
Not seen since winning a Grade Two Richard Johnson enjoyed a 100-1 treAdam Wedge made the most of a spare contest at Warwick in January, the 2-1 ble on Broughtons Rhythm, Atirelarigo ride as he steered Fortunate George (4-1 favourite gave weight all round to mainand Flobury – despite the latter almost favourite) home in the Betfred ‘Treble tain his 100% record in the Betfred TV throwing victory away when nearly refusOdds On Lucky 15’s’ Handicap Hurdle. Novices’ Handicap Chase. ing to jump the last in the Betfred Mobile Called up after Tom Scudamore gave
Jumping superbly for Noel Fehily, Mares’ Handicap Hurdle. up his mounts, Wedge had Emma American took the lead after the fifth-last The 11-8 favourite, trained by Barry Lavelle’s consistent seven-year-old in the fence and steadily pulled clear to win by Leavy, approached the final obstacle right place from the start and sent him on eight lengths from Rock The Kasbah. ahead of long-time leader Margaret’s before three out as he went on to win by Crosspark was a further seven lengths Rose but almost came to a standstill two and a quarter lengths from Solstice Star.awayinthird.beforefinallyclamberingoverit.
Fry said: “He needed the soft ground to That gave Margaret’s Rose the advanWedge said: “A cracking spare ride. He run at Cheltenham and it would have tage, but Johnson galvanised Flobury for jumped, travelled and loved every minbeen a different story full stop, but there one last effort and the nine-year-old ute of it. was not enough rain for him there. responded to win by a length and a half. “Once I got stuck into him he kept gal
“He thrives on those conditions and he The other two wins were more routine loping and stuck his head down.” jumped for fun. He is an exciting novice for the champion jockey. The Venetia Williams-trained Willie chaser. He is just so fragile and can only Broughtons Rhythm (4-1) gave trainer Boy (3-1) ran his rivals ragged as he made run when conditions suit, but he is capaHenry Spiller a first winner over jumps all under Liam Treadwell to romp home ble of performances like that. It is his since he took over from Willie Musson’s in the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House knees that are the problem and it’s just a Newmarket stables when taking the BetHandicap Chase. case of keeping him in one piece. fred ‘ Home Of Goals Galore’ Novices’ Lee Edwards, who was on third on
“I think he idled a bit late on, but he Handicap Hurdle. Kings Cross, was banned for four days for was entitled to on that ground under that Following two falls over fences, Atireusing his whip above the permitted level. weight, while Rock The Kasbah is no larigo (15-2) got back on track when He is out from April 1-4.