Geromino storms to fourth successive win with feature race success at Warwick
GEROMINO made all the running to complete a four-timer, conceding weight to his two rivals in the process, and land the feature £12,200 Colliers Reduce Business Rates Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) at Warwick on Thursday, reports David Hucker.
With outsider Presenting Dylan losing touch at the third-last fence, it was left to 129-rated hurdler Brief Times, making his chasing debut, to mount a challenge to the 4-6 favourite.
Hard as he tried over the final two fences, Brief Times could never get near enough and was still three-and-three-quarter lengths down at the line as Donald McCain's runner extended his winning run.
Worcester winner Call Me Tara found Girlofmydreams too good at Fontwell Park but, on 7lb better terms, reversed the form in the opening racingtv.com/free trial Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Girlofmydreams had taken up the running at halfway but was always jumping to the right and was passed by Call Me Tara approaching the final hurdle who went clear of favourite Dollar Bae, with No No Tonic snatching third place from a weakening Girlofmydreams on the run-in.
Next up was the Olly Murphy Racing Maiden Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs which saw both Harry d’Alene and Itso Fury seeking their first win after being placed in all their starts so far.
With Irish point-to-point winner No Word a non-runner, just four faced the starter and it was Itso Fury, sent off the red-hot 2-5 favourite, who won the battle with Harry d’Alene, who finished runner-up for the third time.
The second Class 3 contest of the afternoon was the Ignite Incentives Handicap Hurdle over two miles and about five furlongs in which Monday’s Newton Abbot winner Getalead had been declared to run again and punters took the hint as he became the fourth winning favourite in a row, leading at the final flight to beat bottom-weight Coldstream.
Dindin was a facile winner at the last meeting but had been beaten at Southwell 48 hours earlier and found Somekindofstar too good for him in the Colliers Property Consultants Birmingham Handicap Chase.
Formerly trained by Lucy Wadham, Somekindofstar was making his stable debut for Charlie Longsdon and, in the hands of Jack Quinlan, was always holding Dindin to bring the winning run of favourites to an end.
Unusually, local trainer Dan Skelton didn’t have a runner at the last meeting and he had just one this time in the shape of Yvette Guilbert in the Start Your Racing TV Free Trial Now Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles.
She looked to have a bit to find on her form so far and met some experienced rivals here, including Progressive, who had finished behind Fortunes Melody at Uttoxeter last time.
It turned into a bit of a stroll for Progressive, who made all the running to come home 16 lengths clear of Laura Bullion, with Yvette Guilbert only third.
Winning trainer Nicky Henderson and stable jockey Nico de Boinville completed a double when debutant King Alexander took the closing Watch Racing TV Free For 31 Days Open National Hunt Flat Race, completing a bad afternoon for the bookmakers as he became the sixth winning favourite.
