It may only have been a midweek meeting at Southwell, but the win of Crest of Fire in a one-mile maiden would have meant plenty to David Probert (photographed).
The Jack Channon-trained three-year-old eased clear in the home straight to run out an easy winner – and in the process provide Bargoed-born Probert with his first success since returning to Britain following a spell in Hong Kong.
In truth, Probert will ride fewer easier winners this year. Crest of Stars was sent off a 2-5 chance and gave his backers little cause for concern as he strode home by 10 lengths despite being eased considerably close to the line.
Probert did not have to wait long – just an hour, in fact – before his second success of the year arrived. On this occasion he had to work a little harder, driving Riley Rocks out determinedly to record a half-length victory in a six-furlong handicap.
Probert returned to Southwell on Saturday where he partnered Jack Andrea to a head success in a 1m 3f handicap.
The final month of the jumps season is upon us, and that gives Ben Jones less than four weeks to bag the handful of winners he needs to record a first-ever century of winners.
He enjoyed a highly productive weekend, with a double on Saturday’s card at Uttoxeter headlined by the success of As Legends Have It in a novices’ handicap chase.
Jones was also on the mark on Sunday at Ascot, where Kilworth ran out a comfortable winner of a three-mile hurdle.
The Uttoxeter meeting was a productive one for the Welsh, with trainer Rebecca Curtis taking a staying handicap hurdle with Idefix De Ciergues, and champion jockey Sean Bowen – whose thirst for winners shows no sign of easing off despite having his second title wrapped up – striking in a bumper with the promising Moore Brion.
Sean landed a sizeable pay day in last year’s Irish Grand National when an all-the-way winner on the Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs, and this year it is his younger brother James who could be in search of the Fairyhouse riches. He may partner Holloway’s Queen, who he steered to success in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, if trainer Nicky Henderson deems the ground to be soft enough for his mare.
Ben Jones also has a fancied ride in the Irish National. He is in line to partner The Jukebox Kid, winner of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot back in February.
The next meeting at Ffos Las is the Family Fun Day on Sunday, April 12 and don’t forget 17 and under go free with a paying adult.
