Frontrunners to the fore
The Generous gelding followed last year’s McGregor Grant with an exciting win over Tobouggie Nights in the Great Nortnern after bowing to him in the lead-up race, the Pakuranga Hunt Cup.
That’s the path Foote plans to follow again and will hopefully have Pateman back on board despite the jockey’s suggestion he should look at races in his homeland, Australia with Amanood Lad.
‘‘It’s a thrill to get asked to ride the horse,’’ Pateman said. ‘‘I’d love to win the Great Northern.’’
‘‘It’s a race that doesn’t get enough international recognition.’’
Foote will carefully work towards the Great Northern Steeplechase, delighted with Monday’s win and looking towards writing Amanood Lad’s name in the history books as one of the very best modern day steeplechasers. The free-going front running hurdlers made their presence felt at Ellerslie on Monday with victory in both hurdle races being won in similar fashion.
D’Llaro made the speed in race one on the card and went on to record a spectacular win and Thenamesbond adopted similar tactics to win the prestige KS Browne Hurdle two races later.
While D’Llaro was winning his debut hurdle race, Thenamesbond was making it win three from nine jumps starts and will be on an early August mission aimed at the Grand National Hurdle.
D’Llaro will stay closer to home and concentrate on working his way through the jumping ranks.
Thenamesbond’s trainer, Stephen Ralph, has always rated his charge highly and has never been afraid to take on the top jumpers and Monday’s win proved his judgement right.
Judgement on behalf of jockey, Michael Mitchell, was also instrumental in Thenamesbond giving his rivals a lesson in the 3350m Faceup-Low Fees In Real Estate KS Browne Hurdle.
Mitchell rode a masterly race, allowing Thenamesbond to set his own terms free rolling clear of his rivals before giving him a midrace breather. His big lead was cut back and only six lengths covered the seven horse field with 1600m to run but Thenamesbond maintained his lead.
He continued to travel strongly and had his opposition in trouble as they straightened for the run home and he went on to win handsomely by five and a-half lengths from Wee Biskit and race favourite, Sea King.
Ralph who shares the ownership of Thenamesbond, with Melanie Sutton after the patience of original partners and purchasers of the China Cat youngster, Stephen and Leigh Argue wore thin, now intends to follow the Grand National path in preference to last season’s Great Northern attack.
Ralph thinks his six-year-old is better equipped for his new role than he was last season and the addition of blinkers and discovery of an annoying stone bruise have set him on the path to further glory.
‘‘He’s a lot stronger than last season and while we knew something wasn’t quite right with him recently, it wasn’t until we discovered the stone bruise that he’s come right,’’ Ralph said.Mitchell felt the blinkers made a huge difference to Thenamesbond’s concentration.
‘‘They were a real bonus for him and made him concentrate.’’