Inion Tiogair is quickly becoming something of a local legend at Chepstow and showed just why at the course on Saturday. The mare is trained close to the track in Shirenewton by Grace Harris, who saddled her to victory at Chepstow in February.
That was followed by a third at Ffos Las before the nine-year-old returned to her favourite venue and won three weeks ago. She is the regular mount of promising conditional Joe Anderson, who has built a decent rapport with Harris and their good run continued at the weekend.
A 9-2 chance for the 2m3½f handicap hurdle, Inion Tiogair raced in last place under Anderson, but travelled strongly and made headway from three out.
Leading narrowly before the second-last hurdle, she powered clear to win by 11 lengths from the 6-5 favourite Hillwalk. It was a tenth winner of the jumps season for Harris, which is by far the most she has ever had.
It will be interesting to see where Inion Tiogair runs next because a repeat performance cannot be discounted given the form she is in.
The feature race at Chepstow on Saturday was a 2m handicap hurdle, which went to Cosmic Connection. He was representing Chris Gordon and was ridden by Bryan Carver, who had the gelding in a prominent position throughout and went clear in the closing stages, producing quite a taking display. He could be another to follow and has now won two of his last three starts.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Planters Punch is also a youngster with a bright future and he outclassed his rivals in the junior hurdle. A winner at Hereford in November, he was able to strike at Bangor last month when he bolted up by 15 lengths and he was a commanding winner again.
In the hands of Dan Williams, the exercise rider of Henderson’s stable star Constitution Hill, Planters Punch made virtually all of the running and was able to record a smooth victory with the minimum of fuss.
He could be forced up in grade for his next assignment, but appears a smart prospect.
The same applies to Tenter Le Tout, who was too strong for her opposition in the mares’ novice hurdle. She was probably out of her depth in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but had looked the part when winning the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on Coral Welsh Grand National day in December.
Trained by Jane Williams, she had little trouble justifying her cramped odds of 1-2 and could have further improvement in her.
Riding honours of the day belonged to Paul O’Brien, who partnered Pep Talking and The Boola Boss to success in both handicap chases on the card. The Boola Boss is trained by
Rebecca Curtis (photographed).
Chepstow’s doors open again on Friday next week, when the course is due to stage the seven-race Dunraven Bowl meeting, the last jumps fixture until October. Gates open at 3.25pm and the first race is at 4.55pm.
