From the archives
Continuing our look back at past renewals of the Paddy Power Chase the 2003 race was won by the 3/1 favourite Fondmort, who had won the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham the previous season. In fact he won 4 times at Cheltenham in all and his regular jockey reckoned that the horse was 10 lbs better at Prestbury Park than at any other track. In a recently published book Fitzgerald harks back to a magnificent leap that Fondmort (pictured below) made at the final fence in the Tripleprint Gold Cup where he cleared the fence by 18 inches.
Sadly a serious training injury, when Fondmort suffered a broken pelvis ended his career prematurely.
Turf trivia
The richest race ever run at Manchester racecourse was the Imperial Leather handicap chase on 5 December 1959 over 3 miles and worth £3,257 10s to the winner. The race went to the mare Kirstin with Gold Cup winner Roddy Owen back in third. This was the only time the race was run as the sponsors pulled out.
Bangor
1.10 Milo Milan won a small race at Newton Abbot last season and then finished 4th in a stronger contest at Chepstow. That race was won by a decent horse from the Nicholls yard and the 3rd horse home has already won this season.
1.40 This is hardly a race to bet on but there will be plenty of interest in the performance of Peddlers Cross. Obviously if he can make the transition from hurdler to chaser he will be a serious contender for the top novice chases this season.
2.10 Buffalo Bob is the sort to win over fences this season. His best from has been on testing ground and he is generally a sound jumper. His only fall came on his last run which was over the Grand National fences in the Topham.
3.10 Fairview Sue showed some form in bumpers last season winning at Southwell and finishing 2nd at Market Rasen. Fourth at Worcester on her return she should be fitter for that run.
Exeter
12.50 Curtain Razer, a gelding by Old Vic was an impressive winner of a couple of point to points last season and looks to have plenty of potential.
1.20 Highland Lodge won his only Irish point to point while Ruben Cotter won the second of his races in Ireland between the flags. Triptico won a bumper in the steward’s room after the winner was disqualified.
1.50 Hildisvini is a really tough sort. He won a bumper and a couple of novice hurdles last season. This trip will suit him although ideally he wants soft ground. He is a staying chaser in the making. The Knoxs was trained by Howard Johnson last season. After falling twice over fences he won his next two, at Sedgefield and Carlisle. He has won over this trip.
2.20 Connak has been off the track for a long time but was a winner over hurdles and ran 4 times over fences when trained by the Alners. Golden Chieftain won 3 times last season over hurdles showing a liking for give in the ground. He has always looked a good prospect for fences. His trainer has high hopes for him. Our Island is a point to point winner who also won twice over hurdles last season. Seventh in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham he made a satisfactory start ovr fences when 4th at Chepstow. He looks a solid stayer. Another to mention is Iron Chancellor trained by Alan King. He is a dual point to point winner and was only beaten a head by Our Island at Ffos Las over hurdles last season.
2.50 Current Event was a winner over hurdles at Newbury in March having joined Paul Nicholls yard from France where he had finished runner up in a listed hurdle. He might not be one of the leading lights from his stable but having had a run already over hurdles this season he could well be up to winning on his chase bow.
3.50 Kentford Grey Lady was a bumper winner at Taunton last season and shaped with promise on her hurdles debut last month when 5th at Worcester. Swincombe Flame won both his startrs in bumpers last season at Warwick and Sandown. She looks a very promising recruit to the hurdles ranks.
Nap of the day – Swincombe Flame
Dark Horse – Milo Milan
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller (see links)
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