Rouge Vif rules in Kingmaker

Smart Warwick success for Whittington six-year-old.

Rouge Vif produced an impressive display to land the Agetur UK Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Having won the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase on Itchy Feet in the Kate and Andrew Brooks colours last week, rider Gavin Sheehan arrived on the crest of a wave – but was in a rush to weigh in as he was dashing to Newbury to ride in the Betfair Hurdle.

Second at Kempton over Christmas behind Global Citizen, the Harry Whittington-trained Rouge Vif was sent off a 7-2 chance in a strong field for the Grade Two contest.

On drying ground for the two-mile affair, they went a decent clip, with Torpillo at the head of affairs, although down the back straight his jumping let him down.

That enabled Sheehan to take charge and while Harry Skelton looked happy to follow on the favourite Nube Negra, it soon became apparent he was not going as well as Rouge Vif.

The six-year-old pulled seven lengths clear after the last, to give his trainer a second win in the race in three years after Saint Calvados in 2018.

Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Gavin Sheehan Kingmaker

Latest