Festivals 2019

The Grade 1 Champion bumper is always a hard fought affair, Envoi Allen arrived as 2/1 fav unbeaten and remained that way. Ridden by Jamie Codd, he travelled widest of all, moving smoothly into contention around the final turn and powering up the hill to hold on by 3/4 length. Owners Cheveley Park Stud had previously been famously involved in jumping with Party Politics, the 1992 Grand National winner and were keen to have winners again at the highest level. Ever since they sent this horse to Gordon Elliott he has thrived and done everything they have asked of him and is already favourite for next year’s Ballymore Hurdle 12 months away.

Another special bumper winner in the Spring was McFabulous. The 5yo Milan half-brother to Waiting Patiently found the soft ground more to his liking at Aintree and won this Grade 2 in good style for Paul Nicholls and Giraffa Racing.

Secret Investor put up a career best at Ayr in the Grade 2 Future Champion Novices’ Chase.  the Kayf Tara gelding’s liking for good ground was catered for here and conditions allowed him to jump to the front a long way out and go away to win easily.

Continuing his good work over fences, Black Corton (2nd on four occasions in Graded company already this season) won the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase at Sandown on the last day of the UK season contributing to Paul Nicholls’ 11th Trainers Championship in 13 years.

Delta Work, already a winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 and now twice a Grade 1 winner over fences, lands the 2019 Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown.  The only time he has been beaten over fences so far was at Cheltenham in the RSA when he was third.