Clutterbuck steers Alpine to Colwick Cup gold

Horse Racing

Nottingham glory for apprentice rider.

Rhys Clutterbuck enjoyed a fine day in the saddle when he guided Ed de Giles’ Alpine Stroll to victory in the feature Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Colwick Cup Handicap at Nottingham on Friday.

The apprentice, who is based in Sussex with Gary Moore, has already surpassed his previous best seasonal total and refused to be passed aboard the game 9-2 shot, when challenged by eventual runner-up, the 11-4 favourite Pons Aelius.

Alpine Stroll was recording his second victory at Colwick Park in three starts having also won over one-mile-six here in June.

“Going into the race it looked fairly competitive, but he finished second at Ffos Las last time and won the time before, so we knew we had a little squeak in the race. But the way he has done it today is pretty incredible,” said the winning rider.

“The pace was perfect, he hung round the left-hand bend, but that was quite good as I was able to get a breather into him. And when kicked in the straight up the inside, he picked up lovely.”

Robyn Brisland saddled two of the first three home in the opening Weatherbys Stallion Book EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes with Ange De L’Amour building on her second here to subsequent Sweet Solera runner-up Dandy Alys to oblige favourite backers.

“We have liked her from day one, her form at Windsor was very good. She deserved a bit of a break and has strengthened up. She’s not a lot, but she’s got a big heart and would run through a brick wall for you,” said Brisland of the 11-4 scorer.

Paul Midgley’s Harrogate (5-1) was always to the fore when returning to winning ways in the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Handicap, while it was not long before the Yorkshire handler was celebrating a double on the card when Good Luck Fox landed the weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap.

Paul Hanagan wins the weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap aboard Good Luck Fox at Nottingham
Paul Hanagan wins the weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap aboard Good Luck Fox at Nottingham (Adam Morgan/PA)

Winning rider Paul Hanagan said: “He loved the ground, they’ve done a great job here by putting a lot of water on and it’s riding perfectly. He just loved bouncing off the ground.

“He just got a little buzzed up at Thirsk last time and never kind of ran a race after that, but he was nice and calm and I took him down steady today. He did well in the conditions because it isn’t easy out there today. It’s really nice for Paul.

“He’s got his team in great nick, he had the previous winner and he’s such a good egg, a good guy and a pleasure to ride for.”

Roger Varian’s Indemnify got off the mark at the fourth attempt to land the Weatherbys Hamilton Maiden Stakes in facile fashion.

Indemnify wins the Weatherbys Hamilton Maiden Stakes for Roger Varian at Nottingham
Indemnify wins the Weatherbys Hamilton Maiden Stakes for Roger Varian at Nottingham (Adam Morgan/PA)

Second behind a couple of useful rivals the last twice, the son of Lope De Vega barely had to break sweat on a sweltering day at Colwick Park to oblige as 1-7 favourite.

“It was very straightforward. I was very happy to make the running, but when one went forward it made my life even easier,” said jockey David Egan.

“He’s related to Phoenix Of Spain and is a smart individual. I think he handled the ground fine and quickened up nicely, but when he begins to step up in grade in the autumn, when you get a bit of cut in the ground is when you’ll see him to the best effect.”

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