Reports, reaction and free replays on Morebattle Hurdle day

A day to remember for Thomson and Mania

Empire steel scored an unlikely success in Kelso’s bet365 Premier Chase as he narrowly home to Le Milos to complete a brace for trainer Sandy Thomson and jockey Ryan Mania on Saturday.

Thompson and Mania struck early in the afternoon benson in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle, although things didn’t look too promising for Empire Steel after it got under the pump and drifted a fair distance away from the first two – Wishing And Hoping and Le Milos – far from home.

Le Milos, who had his final pre-randox Grand National at Aintree in a month’s time, rose above three and by that point had unseated longtime leader Wishing And Hoping.

Dan Skelton’s horse also had a good second place and seemed to have the race in safe hands after drifting away from his rivals between the last few fences – trading at the minimum of 1.01 on the Betfair Exchange (nearly £7,500 , traded at 1.02) – but He suddenly began to bind on coming in under Harry Skelton.

As Le Milos quickly ran out of gas, Mania felt blood at Empire Steel and the 4/1 chance (equivalent to 999/1 in the Betfair Exchange race) readily responded. He stayed strong the final climb to the line and eventually went past the tired favorite to score a three-quarter length goal.

The Shunter, winner of the Morebattle on this map two years ago, was unkempt on several jumps down the backstretch – at both circuits – and could not achieve more than a well-held third place, eventually beating Wishing And Hoping very wide and last the four who went to the post office.

Mania said of the ITV Racing winner: “He made two mistakes, it’s not his style, just as we started racing.

“And to be honest, I thought this was my chance, so I sat down and let him (his lungs) fill up. I can’t believe he finished his race.

“He loves this course. He’s a bit crazy and doesn’t like going too far from home! But he’s got a heck of a lot of talent.

“This decision could have gone either way when we were contemplating going to Cheltenham but that race looked like we were going to win it there and we’re glad we came!

“He’ll probably have a try at the Scottish Grand National now, brush him up and prepare for that. We don’t know he’s staying that far but he’s finished his races the way he wants so we’ll try. “

Benson better than ever with Morebattle win

Thomson and Mania had previously struck gold with the blossoming eight-year-old benson (11/1) in the bet365 Morebattle Hurdle.

Last set for victory at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day, Benson was back at his best and came in again to win the valuable handicap and have a shot at the £100,000 bonus if he can continue at the Cheltenham Festival.

Held back by Ryan Mania on this occasion as Clear White Light and Wajaaha took them at a good gallop, Benson picked his way through the field on the second lap and got to the collar of Colonel Mustard (6/1). who seemed to have timed his run perfectly under Kieren Buckley and came to the last.

Lorna Fowler’s protégé had to settle for a second by two lengths, with L’eau Du Sud (9/1) third, Thereisnodoubt (40/1) fourth, Tritonic (14/1) fifth and a well-backed 100/30 favorite Teddy Blue only sixth.

“I thought at first I gave him a terrible ride,” Mania told ITV Racing.

“They were speeding too soon and everyone came back to me which was good. The horse came to us and was sweetened, kudos to the team.”

Thomson said: “That was absolutely brilliant, I’m so happy for the owners and for Ryan.

Benson holds entries in the Coral Cup and Martin Pipe at the festival, with Sky Bet going 20/1 (33s+) and 16/1 (25s+) respectively, and the trainer confirmed: “He’s going to go for the bonus and he will now get in.

“The great thing is he’s only been out of his box for about four hours which can make a huge difference when you’re thinking about going again and we obviously have to go. You have to try – no one really knows how good he is.

“I need to speak to the owners and talk about this. He will now move into the Coral Cup – at 134 he might have been on the brink and what weight he is and what Ryan can do could affect it. Ryan is obviously struggling a bit with his weight, but if he gets 10.9 pounds or 10.10 pounds, hopefully he would make it.

“But first we’re going to enjoy today, then go home, have all the forms for Cheltenham filled out and carry on from there.”

Tolworth third Franks Sandown form

Nemean lion scored two places better than the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle as he used a class ease to win the Grade bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle.

Coached by Kerry Lee, the 4/1 shot traveled smoothly through the two-mile, two-stadium competition and although it botched the final flight, longtime leader Colonel Harry (7/2 favorite) suffered the same fate and couldn’t fight Richard Patrick’s mount.

At the line, a length and three-quarters separated them, with another six back to Snake Roll (4/1) in third and hurdles newcomer Feronily (5/1) in fourth.

Patrick told ITV Racing: “I’m delighted to drive a big winner for Kerry and Will Roseff (owner) who has been a huge supporter of mine. He’s talented and he was brave. We came with a lot of confidence and would have been disappointed if we lost. He’s got that class.”

Lee said, “We always knew he was pretty decent, and hats off to Will Roseff and his dad for buying him at the sales.

“Never say never but Cheltenham wouldn’t be on our radar. He needs some soft ground as he’s fragile but we could check out Aintree. He is a beautiful horse.”

Baxter fights for victory

Bill Baxter and Half Shot put up a thrilling run-in battle in the opening chase of Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase by Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices, with the former winning judgment after the photo was required.

Trained by Warren Greatrex and ridden by Sean Bowen, the gray went on to make the whole run and put in a good jumping loop, although Half Shot didn’t give him much rest and looked like he’d briefly jumped the front three fences off the target where market leader Sholokjack made a mistake and deviated from it.

Bill Baxter had the inside rail to help the front pair fight them off, and although Half Shot (13/2) slammed into the winner after the last fence, the 7/2 shot stuck his neck out where it was most most important and had a head in his hand as they sped past the post.

The first two were 17 lengths ahead of High Moon, who consistently rode third and could do more than finish in the same spot.

Bowen said on ITV Racing: “I would have been frustrated if I had been beaten. But it was a good performance, he’s staying very good and has shown great attitude. He’s just a little sad and bowed his head for me.

“I thought the bottom was just on the light side of good.”

Rest of the action…

Dan Skelton’s 3/1 favorite Santos Blue won the bet365 Handicap Hurdle under Ben, owner Nick Sutton’s son.

Moving backwards, he worked his way into the contest early with a few hurdles and eventually proved five and a half lengths too good for runner-up Donny Boy (12/1), with Mahon’s Glory (11/2) leading ahead of leader Rafferty’s return for the third place.

Skelton said on ITV Racing: “He deserves a little rest now, we only have one more run towards the end of the season. It took him a while to warm up today but it was great.”

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