Crambo repeated his victory of final 12 months when grimly holding on to win a second Howden Lengthy Stroll Hurdle at Ascot.
Since his victory within the race 12 months in the past, his profession had been in peril of coming off the rails, having disillusioned at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Coach Fergal O’Brien had needed him to reappear at Newbury final month however he was not fairly proper, so it meant that he was having to tackle race-fit rivals in a Grade One on his seasonal return.
Despatched off at 9/1, Crambo had a lot to do leaping the second final earlier than his stamina kicked in.
The race had been taken alongside by Beauport, higher often known as a chaser, and as he was given such a straightforward lead, on the second-last flight it appeared he had slipped the sphere.
He was nonetheless in entrance leaping the final, however maybe cleared that impediment only a bit massive, which gave Crambo the prospect to attract upsides.
As soon as Johnny Burke had mastered him, there was a brand new hazard, as Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake put down the ultimate problem, however he simply failed by a head. Beauport caught on for third, with The Wallpark fourth.
The favorite Robust Chief was one of many first crushed and by no means seemed like profitable.
Valiant Victtorino lifts Silver Cup trophy once more
Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams notched one more massive winner when Victtorino was produced to guide proper on the road to win the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase for the second successive 12 months.
He was despatched off the 5/2 favorite having caught the attention in ending third within the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, regardless of making a number of leaping errors that day.
Whereas his leaping was not foot good once more, Victtorino did save his greatest leap for final, when it actually mattered.
The tempo had been relentless all through, with three horses serving to set it in Trelawne, The Altering Man and Threeunderthrufive.
Whereas that trio have been exerting themselves, Deutsch, using filled with confidence after massive race wins on Royale Pagaille, Martator, Gemirande and Djelo already this season, was comfortable to take a seat indifferent from the principle group.
He progressively moved into competition and with three fences to leap he was fourth, with by now simply The Altering Man out in entrance.
Working right down to the final, it was all going to return right down to the leaping and Deutsch noticed an exquisite stride, which Victtorino agreed with, they usually landed operating, serving to them win by half a size.
It was the second time this season Joe Tizzard’s The Altering Man had been denied in a precious Saturday occasion by Williams, having come off second greatest within the Rehearsal Chase behind Frero Banbou.
Jungle Boogie begins the Christmas get together
Jungle Boogie clears a fence at Ascot
Jungle Boogie supplied Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe with their first winner at Ascot within the Howden Commencement Chase.
The proficient however extraordinarily fragile 10-year-old made each yard of the operating in what was fairly an eventful affair.
Solely 4 went to put up, with simply Iroko skilled within the UK, whereas the others travelled over from Eire.
Sadly for individuals who backed Iroko, they knew their destiny early on, as upon leaping the primary fence he collided with the errant Fil Dor in mid-air, giving Jonjo O’Neill Jr no likelihood.
Jungle Boogie took the sphere alongside however the tempo was solely sedate and clearly too gradual for James Du Berlais, who was eager within the arms of Daryl Jacob and making errors.
The chief had travelled very nicely within the Gold Cup when final seen however didn’t see out the journey at Cheltenham, and on the second circuit he started to leap increasingly more out to his left.
Previously skilled by Willie Mullins, he was unbeaten in a bumper, a maiden hurdle and a learners chase, however having had solely three runs in nearly as a few years for the Closutton handler, he then had over two years off earlier than becoming a member of De Bromhead.
He has been sound since, although, and is clearly a proficient performer, operating out a straightforward eight-length winner.
Household affair as Thank You Ma’am scores for Nicholls group
Olive Nicholls aboard Thank You Ma’am for her mom Georgie
Younger rider Olive Nicholls stored it within the household with a primary Ascot victory as Thank You Ma’am got here out on prime within the Thames Supplies Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
Using for her mom Georgie towards a area which included a rival skilled by her father Paul, Nicholls took up a outstanding place on the chestnut as he seemed to interrupt his duck after ending second on six events.
The duo made all the operating, settling into a beautiful rhythm with a neat spherical of leaping to take the ultimate bend within the lead.
Nobody might land a blow on the run to the road, and it was the 11/4 favorite who strode to a seven-and-a-half-length success to provide the mom and daughter partnership much more motive to have fun this Christmas.
Gary and Josh Moore’s Kotmask then prevailed within the Howden Handicap Chase, justifying favouritism at 13/8 underneath Caoilin Quinn.
The six-year-old had run nicely twice on the observe already this time period with out profitable, however bettered these efforts to attain by a size and three quarters, regardless of a gradual bounce on the final.
