Given a determined ride by yard claimer Lewis Dobb, Noche Negra stayed on well in the soft ground to win going away.
NOCHE NEGRA, placed in cheekpieces (removed here) on his Market Rasen chase debut on Boxing Day, hit a flat spot over this shorter trip before rallying determinedly to claim the leader after the final fence. He's lightly raced overall and, as a brother to the classy chaser Nube Negra, should prove capable of going on to better things.
On a terribly sad day for the yard when stable star Notlongtilmay suffered a fatal injury at Kempton, J’Ai Froid produced a solid and gutsy performance to win the Pertemps qualifier at warwick under a fine ride from John Kington
J'AI FROID has got his career back on track since winning at Leicester in November (2m) and gained a gritty, if slightly fortunate success here. He'll remain well-treated on peak/past form so should continue to give a good account as he's in top form at present.
J’Ai Froid returned to form on ground he likes under a good front running ride from John Kington . Hopefully he can build on this when stepped up in trip again.
J'AI FROID, without a win since rattling off a four-timer between 3m and 3m2f in early 2021, took advantage of his plummeting handicap mark on ground that suits, strong in the closing stages. Rated as high as 147 two years ago, it'll be fascinating to see if can build on this. He'll obviously have the option of going back up in trip.
Friary Rock ended a barren spell for the yard with a game win under Lewis Dobb
FRIARY ROCK, down in distance with cheekpieces refitted (replacing a visor), had slipped to a good mark and returned to winning ways under suitable conditions. He won't mind the return to further.
Raised 8lbs by the handicapper for his recent Southwell win, Captain Ivan won a shade cleverly under a fine ride from Paddy Cowley to keep the yard momentum going.
CAPTAIN IVAN went up 8lb following his recent easy success at Southwell. He bided his time in running down the long-time leader and took control just before the winning line. He is clearly thriving and will remain one to consider when he goes for the hat-trick
And The New continued his good run of form to win The Summer Plate Trial at Market Rasen under a fine positive ride from Adam Wedge.
AND THE NEW, unsuited by the track and drop back in trip at Cartmel last time, bounced right back to his best, winning a shade cosily. The Summer Plate will demand more but he's in cracking form and it'll be no surprise to see this veteran in the mix.
Captain Ivan won comfortably on his seasonal debut at Southwell in the capable hands of Paddy Cowley.
CAPTAIN IVAN drew clear over the final three fences to win eased down. The first-time use of the hood/tongue-tie combination surely made a difference, while he's run well when fresh before and does like Southwell.
And The New bounced back to form at Market Rasen in first time cheeck pieces under a comfortable ride from Adam Wedge.
AND THE NEW has been nowhere near his best in four runs since his seasonal debut in the class 2 Castleford chase at Wetherby (2m,soft) in December. Now 20lb below his mark that day, and with cheekpieces fitted for the first time he took full advantage of the drop in class to win very easily, albeit in a race were only 8 fences were jumped. He'll get reassessed now, but has a bit in hand if this signals a return to something near his best.
Friary Rock made it 2 wins in 2 days for the yard when winning comfortably under Adam Wedge at Perth
FRIARY ROCK, a C&D winner having his first run September, returned in good heart, travelling well and finding plenty on the run-in. Although he must have been fit enough to do himself justice, there has to be a good chance he will benefit from the run.
A battling performance by Dasher Riley on his yard debut saw a first winner of the new season for the stable, under a good ride from Harry Cobden.
A battling performance by Dasher Riley on his yard debut saw a first winner of the new season for the stable, under a good ride from Harry Cobden.
