Castle is the king to book ticket to the Festival
CLONDAW Castle booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival as he got off the mark over fences at the third attempt with a bold front-running performance in the Dick Christian Novices’ Chase at Leicester on Tuesday.
Slad trainer Tom George has the showpiece meeting in mind for the seven-year-old, who outclassed his two rivals, coming home 10 lengths clear of 8-13 favourite Burbank in the hands of Ciaran Gethings.
“He always promised to be a good horse,” said George of his 6-4 winner.
“He won his bumper very well, and two novice hurdles, and then we had a few setbacks and I jut hope we get a clean run of it now.”
He added: “He’s tailor-made for the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival, so that’s where he’ll go. ”
George and Gethings doubled up with Another Stowaway (8-1) in the Leicester Annual Badge Holders Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
“He did it well. My assistant Ciaran Mckee rides him every day,” said George. “He’s an improver and is heading in the right direction. He’ll make a good chaser.”
The Captains Inn (20-1) repaid a little of his £220,000 purchase price when making a winning over timber in the Croxton Park Novices’ Hurdle, on a day that saw a wintry shower or two.
Bought into the Ben Pauling stable after finishing second in an Irish pointto-point last spring, the five-year-old made up for a disappointing bumper run at Warwick last month.
“We fancied him at Warwick and for whatever reason he didn’t perform that day, but he was right today,” said jockey Daryl Jacob.
“He’s not doing everything the right way at the moment. I think once you correct the wrongs and turn them into rights, I think he’ll develop into a really nice horse.”
French import Dame Du Soir (3-1) made all under Tom Scudamore to open her British account in the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Qualifier.
Stow trainer David Bridgwater is hoping the six-year-old can progress after beating 6-4 favourite The White Mouse.
The trainer said: “That’s her third run for us, she’s had a few niggly problems.
“We didn’t run her for seven months and she’s grown. I think she’ll be a nice horse.”
Trigger Nichol (9-2) improved on his fencing debut to give trainer Dr Richard Newland his 50th success of the season in the Racing TV Handicap Chase.
Sam Twiston-davies brought the seven-year-old into the race steadily to lead after three out, going on to beat Bought before lunch by 11 lengths.
“He disappointed last time, but we thought he’d better over fences. We decided to leave the cheekpieces on and the step up in trip has helped,” said Twiston-davies.