Marracudja completes Kempton walkover
Skelton chaser was the only qualifier for Festival consolation race.
Marracudja secured the easiest GBP 15,640 of his life in the opening Virgin Bet Silver Bowl Handicap Chase at Kempton. The extended two-and-a-half-mile heat was conceived as a consolation race for those balloted out of Cheltenham handicaps, but a reduced number of entries at this year’s Festival meant only Marracudja was eliminated at the meeting. Dan Skelton’s 10-year-old was therefore the horse to qualify for the race, with Bridget Andrews getting the leg up for his required canter down the course. Marracudja had only to walk to the furlong marker and canter back past the winning post to take home the first prize. Andrews said: “I’ve only ever once before been involved in a walkover, which was at Warwick, and it’s a strange situation when you go to the furlong marker and canter back over the line – especially because this horse was very full of himself and he’s not the easiest.” Kempton clerk of the course Barney Clifford added: “Since I started clerking here in 1999, this is only the second walkover. The first was in 2002 – it was a chase on the October Sunday meeting brought about by fast ground.” Marracudja had not secured a first prize since December 2019, when he was an impressive winner of the Castleford Chase at Wetherby, before going on to finish third in the Grade One Clarence House Chase a month later.Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Burke confident Fallen Angel will stay Guineas trip
Trainer insists: ‘The mile holds no qualms, she should improve for the mile.’
-
Lossiemouth strolls to another Grade One success
Easy victory completes another Cheltenham-Punchestown double for Mullins’ mare.
-
Seven Questions has all the answers in Palace House
Shock 33-1 win for George Scott’s charge in Group Three heat.
-
Sly hoping for Newmarket rain ahead of Beau bid
Dahlia Stakes contender would prefer cut in the ground for Group Two test.
-
Unequal Love claims Listed honours at Newmarket
Irish Group Two assignment next on the agenda for Haggas-trained filly.
-
Frost to team up with Munir and Souede in France
Rider gets retained role as she embarks on new summer challenge.
-
The King and Queen appointed joint patrons of the Jockey Club
Organisation is responsible for tracks including Newmarket, Epsom and Cheltenham.
-
Ballyburn secures record-breaking win for Willie Mullins
Trainer sets another new mark with 4,378th career success.
-
State Man seals perfect season with Punchestown glory
Willie Mullins’ charge sees off Irish Point in the Boodles Champion Hurdle.