Today’s racing
Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power team up with Reserve Tank in the 2m3f novices’ chase that opens Exeter’s card today.
The six-year-old disappointed when last seen at Newbury in the Grade 2 John Francome Novices’ Chase, going down by four lengths to Danny Whizzbang. Before that he was the decisive winner of a Grade 2 event at Wincanton.
Reserve Tank faces six rivals including the Nicky Henderson-trained Champagne Mystery and Master Tommytucker, who will also be looking to get back to winning ways having fallen in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton in December.
Punchestown (Ireland) also race over jumps today while Southwell stages an all-weather fixture.
Altior back on track
Dropping back to his favoured two miles proved to be the difference as the Nicky Henderson-trained Altior returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday.
Fans of Henderson’s superstar had a couple of anxious moments in the home straight when he looked to have hit a flat spot, as the Paul Nicholls-trained Dynamite Dollars appeared to have the advantage.
But, after a swift leap at the last, jockey Nico de Boinville asked his mount to quicken and Altior responded instantly to pull clear, scoring by an impressive three and a quarter lengths.
Also at Newbury, Native River, with new jockey Jonjo O’Neill jnr on board, took the spoils in the Grade 2 Denman Chase (2m7½f) while Pic D’Orhy was a shock 33-1 winner of the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle (2m½f).
Iridessa off to Japan
Four-time Group/Grade 1 Iridessa has been retired from racing and sold to Japanese interests to begin her breeding career.
The daughter of Ruler Of The World, trained by Joseph O’Brien for owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, took the Fillies’ Mile at three before scoring her last top-level success in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf last year.
