Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Halford's Sky Seven takes 'Red God' Handicap under Whelan
Mark Nunan
Halford's Sky Seven takes 'Red God' Handicap under Whelan
Sky Seven and Ronan Whelan (right) win from Charcor (centre)
© Photo Healy Racing
Confirmed all-weather performer Sky Seven (14/1) landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Red God’ Handicap in the hands of Ronan Whelan.
It appears to be the case that the newly-laid surface is riding pretty slow and with plenty of kick-back.
Prominent racers seem to be helped by the fact that it’s difficult for those being ridden patiently to make up a lot of ground.
In this instance Sky Seven was never far from the pace and kept on well to beat Charcor by a length and a quarter, with Mirann (5/1) coming from well back in the field to claim third spot another half a length away. The 7/2 favourite Baby Zeus finished sixth.
The winning 4-year-old, by Helmet, had won at two and three at this track and had gone close several times in handicaps as well, but this was his first win in such company.
The winning trainer Michael Halford said: “I didn't even see the race as I was in with the physio getting some work done on my back!”
“I was just listening to it while getting needles stuck into me.
“He loves it around here and he's after getting strong so he handled the slower surface.
“It's a great pot to win with him. The horses have been hitting the crossbar for ages without getting their head in front.
“The owner is a great supporter of ours and a great supporter of Irish racing so I'm thrilled for him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson