GORDON’S SPECIAL DAY
CHRIS GORDON found the missing piece to the Betfair Hurdle puzzle with 9-1 shot Aucunrisque.
The trainer pulled a shrewd move to switch the novice chaser back over smaller obstacles – and was rewarded with a gutsy triumph.
Gordon’s Annual Invictus (6-1), fourth in the 2021 renewal of the big handicap, boosted the Newbury gains to a 69-1 double. Both horses led from pillar to post for the in-form Hampshire stable.
After several near-misses in recent years, Gordon was chuffed with his horse’s length success from 3-1 favourite Filey Bay.
The front two were wide apart up the run-in, but Aucunrisque dug deep to repel the well-backed Irish raider. Jockey Nick Scholfield, sidelined for a significant period this season through injury, got the tactics spot on aboard the winner.
“This ranks right up there on memorable days, especially with my son winning the earlier race,” Gordon (right) said.
“It is a special day, a really special day.”
Gordon’s son Freddie, a 7lb claimer, turned over another market leader in the Betfair Multiples Offer Every Saturday Handicap Hurdle.
His mount,annual Invictus, answered every call as they got the better of Barbados Buck’s (3-1f) by three lengths.
The shocks kept coming for punters – and the runner-up’s trainer, 13-times champion Paul Nicholls, endured a series of disappointing results.
Greaneteen (1-2f) lacked his usual spark in the Grade Two
Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase behind the Venetia Williamstrained Funambule Sivola (7-1).
Nicholls’ other big hope Mcfabulous was found to have an irregular heartbeat after being pulled up by Harry Cobden in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
The yard’s fancied runner Hitman then chased home Zanza (16-1) in the Grade Two Betfair Denman Chase. Philip Hobbs was toasting his 3,000th career win as the blinkered gelding passed the post seven lengths ahead. “It’s taken us a long time to do it but it’s very satisfying,” he said.
“Looking back ov er thee years, Rooster Booster was extraordinary, he went about 18 months without getting beaten.
“He was the highestrated hurdler in the country and pretty amazing really.”