Results

12:35 PM Stanjamesuk.com Handicap Hurdle

There was drama in the opener as the 7/4 market leader, Motorway, took a tumble down the far side when tracking the leaders, although it was not the first mistake he had made. In addition, jockey Richard Johnson then lay on the ground for a couple of awkward minutes before thankfully, getting to his feet - albeit a little gingerly. Hopefully, he will be ok to take up his other rides on the card. This opened up the event and, when four jumped the second-last flight in unison, we looked set for a rousing finish. That image proved misleading because once Tom Scudamore let out an inch of rain, Albarino, trained by Tom's grandfather Michael, soon eased clear for an impressive success. Much as he tried gamely, Tanikos could not go with him and, ultimately, was caught close home by Nanga Parbat, with the long-time leader Genuine Article back in fourth place.

Winning Jockey: R Walsh
Straight Forecast: £11.50
Exacta: £13.70
Non runners: Hawkit (USA)

01:05 PM Stan James Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Even though there were only four runners in the eventual line-up - unfortunately, Racing Demon was pulled out of the race in the morning - it was still won by what is almost certainly a very useful novice in Hoo La Baloo, and that was the view left even though he was the only one to complete the course at the first attempt! The first to depart, at the very first fence, was Exotic Dancer and then, after just having taken the lead at the eighth obstacle, Flying Spirit came down after a bad mistake. He was eventually remounted to land a substantial amount for the runner-up spot. There were no such problems for Hoo La Baloo, although Crossbow Creek, who hit the first of the Railway fences pretty hard, looked to be making a race of things at the third-last, the Pond Fence. However, he looked just about held when making a real mess of the next fence and falling. This left the winner to come home all alone, and provide the perfect way for Ruby Walsh to ease his way back into racing action following a spell on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder. As mentioned, the winner, who is trained by Paul Nicholls, looks very useful and his jumping, which proved to be the downfall of all of his opponents today, certainly stood him in good stead once again.

01:40 PM Stan James Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1)

Following six successive wins, the last four in hurdle races, Feathard Lady came to England from Colm Murphy's stable with a big reputation. Well, she did nothing to dispel that view with an impressive win in the Stan James-sponsored Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle as she cruised through to pick off her opponents one-by-one in the home straight, and then quickened clear in the manner of a high-class performer. Her win also gave Ruby Walsh his second win on the card. Left to chase her home was Self Defense, who had travelled well throughout the race but simply could not handle the winner, and he only just got up to deny Royal Shakespeare - who ran a very good race on going that was a little softer than he would ideally like - the runner-up spot. Tony McCoy on Intersky Flacon was intent on making this a good gallop but it made no difference to the classy winner, and McCoy's mount was clearly held when making a hash of the second-last flight. The Paul Nicholls-trained novice, Natal, ran well for a very long way and will find easier opportunities than this one.

02:15 PM Stan James King George VI Chase (Grade 1)

Hearty congratulations to Kicking King and all of his connections as the seven-year-old Tom Taaffe-trained gelding landed a second-successive King George VI Chase. That is a huge achievement and, also, in the 2004/5 season, he joined only a handful of chasers - all of them top-class - to land the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season. His regular partner. Barry Geraghty, was once again on board today. Afterwards, referring to the steady pace in the contest, he said: "He'll be better with a quicker pace on better going...the going is a bit dead in places...but he's some jumper," before adding with typical confidence, "Now for the Gold Cup!" His trainer felt that the son of Old Vic's win had now silenced some of his critics, who felt that he maybe had lost a bit of sparkle this season. Today proved that to be far from the case and the trainer also feels that he will be a better horse come March (for the Gold Cup). In amongst this, we must not forget the horses that contributed to another great racing spectacle. First of all, the runner-up, Monkerhostin, who continues to defy his rating with some wonderful performances, and he was, in fact, closing on the leader at the finish, although that in no way is intended to detract from the winner. In third was Impek, and his rider Tony McCoy surprised some by racing prominently or leading for much of the way. They should know better by now and the champion jockey gave Henrietta Knight's runner a fine ride. The disappointment of the contest was last year's runner-up Kingscliff, who dropped away fairly tamely after having clouted the final fence on the first circuit. Once again, though, that in no way should deflect from the Conor Clarkson-owned winner's performance, and it was very much a case of the King retaining his crown in the King George on Boxing Day.

02:50 PM Stan James Feltham Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

This was a very good novice chase and it saw a game win from Darkness, one of the leading novices seen so far this season. The going on the far side was a bit quicker than the going up the home straight and jockey Tony McCoy seemed to have his hands full as Darkness laboured a little on the far side. At this point the bold-jumping Bewleys Berry led, as he had done from the outset, but it was Zabenz who took over at the final Railway Fence. To his great credit, Bewleys Berry fought back up the Sandown hill and was only just denied second place. That went to Zabenz, but cutting them all down on the run for home was the Charlie Egerton-trained winner, who looks to have class and courage in abundance. The slight disappointment of the race was Crozan, who failed to build on his good Cheltenham win here.

03:25 PM Stanspoker.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Confidence in the saddle can work wonders for a horse's performance, and that seemed to be the case here as the King George VI Chase hero Barry Geraghty oosed belief on Afrad all the way up the home straight, his mount not letting him down by running out an emphatic winner in the final quarter-mile. That said, the rider cannot go without the horse, and the winner looks decent in this sphere. He was also a welcome winner for trainer Nicky Henderson, who had seen Crozan disappoint in the previous contest. The runner-up spot went to Only Vintage, who is a very likeable type, and he too travelled well until the final two furlongs. However, the ten pounds weight concession to a very good opponent proved too much, despite his good effort.

Source: http://www.sandown.co.uk

2005 King George Chase

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