Trainer Grace Harris (photographed) stole the show at Chepstow on Friday when she sent out a double.
Based in Shirenewton, Harris had her best ever season on the flat last year but maintains a jumps string and her talents in that sphere were showcased by The Big Reveal and Inion Tiogair.
Unlucky not to win at the track when falling last time, The Big Reveal, who was ridden by Tom Bellamy, produced a game display to emerge on top in the 2m7½f handicap chase, returning as the 11-4 joint-favourite.
Harris then saddled Inion Tiogair in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle and the nine-year-old made no mistake as she won by a comfortable nine and a half lengths. Under Joe Anderson, she was a 6-1 shot and was winning for the second time in her career.
The card also featured a novice hurdle that was captured by Bossman Jack, who may run at the Cheltenham Festival in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle next.
“I know he’s got the ability to be there - that doesn’t concern me in the slightest,” trainer Dan Skelton told Sky Sports Racing. “It’s just whether it’s the right thing to do at this stage of his life. He’s obviously very good. I can’t quite decide what to do and will leave it as late as I can, but if the ground was on the slow side I’d probably run him.”
Connections of Aqua Bleu are likely to have fancy plans in mind for him after he landed the junior hurdle in the hands of champion jockey Sean Bowen.
A progressive type, the four-year-old tended to jump right but always looked like he was in with a shout and kept on well to prevail.
He has now won three of his four starts and is trained by Warren Greatrex, who said: “I was really impressed as he doesn’t handle that testing ground, but he’s so straightforward and just puts his head down and wants it when you ask him. I thought it’d be quite hard to win with a double penalty, but he’s proved he’s a fair horse.
“He’s got a will to win and has a very bright future.”
Bowen went on to complete a double thanks to Jalisco Star’s victory in the mares’ hurdle, while Juby Ball was another winner to note. He bolted up in the novice handicap chase - the feature race on the card - and could easily make his mark at a higher level for Evan Williams, who trains in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Caldicot-based Robert Stephens did not have any runners at the meeting, but saddled Port Noir to strike at Wolverhampton on Friday, while Caballero Cliff was a nice winner for him at Wincanton on Saturday. The five year old was fourth in the Champion
Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last March.
Our next meeting at Chepstow is this Saturday 21st February, when the action starts at 1.40pm and racing meets rugby with a Six Nations-themed day, while on Friday Ffos Las stages a seven-race card that begins at 1.52pm.
