Sam Thomas has plenty to look forward to with the exciting Celtic Dino © Photo Healy Racing
Sam Thomas is excited to see how far Celtic Dino can go after enhancing his reputation with an impressive display at Ascot on Friday.
The dual bumper scorer was a 14-length winner on his jumping debut at Wincanton last month, but had significantly more on his plate in the Troy Asset Management “Introductory” Hurdle.
Olly Murphy’s Wade Out, Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse and Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s French raider Nothing To Sea all brought unbeaten records to the table in Berkshire, but Celtic Dino was ultimately much the best.
A 4-6 favourite in the hands of Dylan Johnston, the five-year-old was sent straight to the lead and was travelling powerfully as he rounded the home turn in front.
He stamped his class on the race in the straight, pulling clear to seal a four-and-a-quarter-length verdict, with Wade Out best of the rest in second.
Thomas, who watched on from Chepstow, said: “It was a better race today and to see him go and win like that was great. It’s exciting to have a nice horse like that and we just need to look after him, take it one race at a time and not get too carried away.
“He’s a big baby, that’s the way I’d describe him. Even at home in everything he does he’s green, but it’s exciting and nice to have such a talented horse in the yard. I’m very lucky.”
Paddy Power cut Celtic Dino to 25-1 from 40-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Thomas is looking forward to raising his sights, but heavy ground will be avoided.
He added: “I don’t have a whole pile in mind, other than we had a good bit of success with the way Lump Sum went last season. He finished second in the Grade Two at Doncaster (Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle) and then won the Dovecote at Kempton.
“We could follow a similar route with this horse because I think he wants a flat track and good ground, but we’ll see. He’s definitely not going to want the ground too soft.”
Bucksy Des Epeires made a successful debut over fences in the CopyBet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, initiating a double on the card for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Charlie Deutsch.
With likely favourite Gidleigh Park taken out on account of the ground, a field of four runners went to post, with Bucksy Des Epeires third best in the betting at 7-2.
Rare Edition gave a bold sight in front for much of the way, but Deutsch produced Bucksy Des Epeires with a well-timed challenge at the final fence and he kicked two and a half lengths clear on the run-in. Bad, the 11-8 favourite, finished third.
Williams said: “We were a bit concerned about the ground and had a quick looks after the first. I thought he was a bit novicey early but then warmed to it. I always hoped he would be a better chaser.”
The same trainer-jockey combination also struck gold in the CopyBet Handicap Chase, with Gemirande (100-30) producing a superb round of jumping from the front on his way to an empathic success.
“It’s great to have had our 50th Ascot winner and also our 51st,” Williams added.
“Anyone loves to have winners at Ascot, it’s a fantastic racecourse. There’s always decent prize money and it’s such a fair course.
“Charlie has given two lovely rides and although this horse enjoys himself out in front, he doesn’t have to lead.”
The Joe Tizzard-trained First Confession justified odds-on favouritism in the Gambling Week “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.
A £140,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-to-point 12 months ago, the five-year-old finished third behind the exciting Potters Charm on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham last month, form which was well advertised after the runner-up Minella Sixo went one better at Thurles on Thursday.
First Confession was a 10-11 shot to beat two rivals at the second attempt and pulled 12 lengths clear in the hands of Brendan Powell.
“He hadn’t run for the best part of a year (before Cheltenham), but the form of his first run had been franked,” said Tizzard.
“Brendan thought he would have been better off with a lead, but we knew he would stay well. He has a lovely way about him, and as it gets softer he will get better.”
Chris and Freddie Gordon teamed up to land the LK Bennett Autumn Collection Handicap Hurdle with stable stalwart Aucunrisque (9-1), who was registering his first victory since landing the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February of last year.
“He’s a small horse and it’s difficult for him as he’s lost his speed, but he stays and stays,” said the winning rider.
“He’d run really well the last twice, he was carrying a bit less weight today and it’s worked out really well. Our horses are starting to come now and hopefully there will be more winners ahead.”
Kim Bailey’s Law Of Supply obliged as the 5-2 favourite for the CopyBet UK Handicap Chase under Jonathan Burke, who swiftly doubled up in the concluding Not Forgotten Open NH Flat Race aboard Anthony Honeyball’s point-to-point recruit Kdeux Saint Fray (7-2).
