Ballyoptic battles to Charlie Hall victory
Winner could join stablemate Bristol De Mai in Betfair Chase.
Ballyoptic provided Nigel Twiston-Davies with a sixth success in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, staying on best of all to beat Elegant Escape. The nine-year-old failed to complete in three of his four races last season – but has won both his outings in the new campaign and connections intimated in the aftermath that he could now join stablemate Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Well-supported throughout the morning in anticipation of the rain which fell in the afternoon, Ballyoptic was sent off the 11-4 second-favourite behind La Bague Au Roi, but Warren Greatrex’s mare never looked happy on the heavy ground, making several uncharacteristic mistakes. Top Ville Ben gave them a good lead and was still in front turning into the straight, although by the third-last he had been passed by Aso, with the Ryanair runner-up stepping up in trip. Ballyoptic began to wear him down, but just when it looked like he had done enough Welsh National winner Elegant Escape began to stay on strongly, only for the line to come too soon, with the winning distance three and three-quarter lengths. Twiston-Davies had already won the Grade Two feature with Tipping Tim (1992), Young Hustler (1994), Ollie Magern (2005, 2007) and Bristol De Mai (2017). Sam Twiston-Davies was winning the race for the first time and said: “Nige does a very good job and as everyone knows he likes to start the season well. When you’ve had a run under your belt in conditions like that, it’s a big help. “He gallops strong and stays well and while his jumping has been indifferent in the past he was good enough today. “He didn’t have some of the penalties some of the others had, but he’s incredibly tough, has a great attitude and goes on the ground, so while it stays like this why not have a crack at the Betfair – you’ve got to dream.” The trainer added: “He’ll definitely be entered in the Betfair, we’ve probably got the winner of that in Bristol De Mai, but if we can have the one-two that would be lovely. “He’ll be handicapped out of everything now, so why not?”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Deira Mile enhances Derby prospects with Windsor win
‘He is still green but Jim Crowley said the further he goes, the better he will be.’
-
Azure Blue camp eyeing York return for comeback spin
Michael Dods: ‘She’s working nicely and she looks great at the moment.’
-
Commonwealth Cup now the big target for Relief Rally
William Haggas convinced filly didn’t stay seven furlongs in Fred Darling.
-
O’Brien Epsom raider has Rock-solid form credentials
Group-placed son of Galileo sets the standard in Betfred Blue Riband Trial.
-
Team Mullins already plotting another title challenge if successful
The Closutton camp added a rather modest £4,356.80 to their tally on Monday to build up a sizeable lead over Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls.
-
Burrows pencils in early summer return for Alflaila
‘It all depends how the next few weeks go, but he looks as well as ever, he’s filled out and strengthened up again.
-
El Fabiolo and Gaelic Warrior among Mullins Sandown entries
Mouth-watering clash with Jonbon on the cards in bet365 Celebration Chase.
-
Nicholls gives credit to Mullins – and sympathy to Skelton
Irish maestro looks set to wrap up jump trainers’ championship this week.
-
Porta Fortuna on course for 1000 Guineas
Filly won the Cheveley Park and was second at Breeders’ Cup.