Keeping up with the Joneses is all very well, but it was impossible for anyone to match Ben Jones last week. He rode trebles at Warwick on Friday and Kempton on Saturday, and landed the Hereford bumper on Sunday aboard Forthfactor to make it eleven winners from his last fourteen rides.
His first Kempton winner was in the Adonis Hurdle on Mambonumberfive, a 450,000 euro purchase. He jumped sloppily initially, but Jones said, “then the penny dropped and he saw the trip out well.” Later he scored on Bad, who’s often found it difficult to get his head in front. This time he scooted clear two out and won easily. Jones’s treble came up in the bumper on Our Boy Stan.
Sam Thomas has been dynamite in handicap chases in the last few years and he took first and third prizes in the Kempton feature, the Ladbrokes Trophy. His novice Katate Dori, running off bottom weight, trotted up, with his older stablemate Our Power a commendable third. Owner Dai Walters said they would consider their Cheltenham options if Katate Dori came out of the race all right.
The Welsh were also cashing in at Chepstow’s meeting on Saturday. Sean Bowen won the maiden on Olly Murphy’s Kapal Layar, who raced lazily, but was strongest at the end of the 2m4f journey.
The runners in the 2m4f novice chase went off plenty fast enough. Richard Patrick on Passing Kate bided his time in last place and cruised into the lead three out.
Evan Williams’ Dr T J Eckleburg was ridden with similar patience by Adam Wedge in the 2m chase and caught the long-time leader in the last couple of strides.
Sam Thomas had a winner at his local track when C’Est Different capitalised on being unpenalised for a Carlisle victory five days previously. Adam Wedge was completing a double.
Jack Tudor was at Newcastle to ride one for David Pipe in the Eider Chase. He was unplaced, but the jockey’s journey was made worthwhile by steering the well-supported Bust A Move to a convincing success for trainers Mick and David Easterby.
On Sunday James Bowen was in the saddle when Zestful Hope made it 4-5 at Hereford. The horse had never won anywhere else, and it was his first win over fences after eleven unsuccessful attempts.
Sean Bowen made it look easy on Champagnesuperover in the veterans chase. His form figures F40U3U didn’t inspire confidence, but he jumped perfectly well today and shot into a good lead turning into the straight.
Richard Patrick and the Kerry Lee-trained Nemean Lion came out on top in a stirring battle with Sam Thomas’s Steel Ally for the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell. The Lion showed great determination as Patrick got him through on the rail and headed Steel Ally a stride or two before the post.
The Proud To Be Welsh race day at Ffos Las is this Friday, and includes a Tom Jones tribute act.
