The Tuesday afternoon race meeting at Hereford Racecourse brought a good range of results, with some winning favourites alongside some winners at double-figure odds, but the main story of the day’s sport was jockey Tom Bellamy and trainer Ben Pauling each coming home with a winning double.
Read on for a full report of the Hereford card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest Leopardstown betting.
Up first was a two and a half mile novices’ hurdle (12.15). We had the first winning favourite of the day here; Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls’ Marsiac, who was ridden by Tom Bellamy. The gelding had won a maiden hurdle at Aintree in October and repeated the form here with ease, winning by four lengths to the runner-up, Noahsgreatrainbow.
Market leaders were still in business for race two, a two-mile novices’ hurdle (12.50). Here, Ben Pauling had his first success of the afternoon with Evens favourite Four Springs, ridden by Harry Cobden. The four-year-old won by over three lengths, despite making a jumping error at the fifth flight, but ran on well towards the finish. Liam Mera Kai was second and Kool Kid was third.
Another favourite won race three, a two-mile novices’ handicap chase (1.25). Christian Williams’ horse, Danny’s Friend, was the 9/4 main fancy and made steady progress into the lead with three fences left to jump. He won readily by over three lengths to Electric Eddy, who was chased home by Chestnut Pete and Sanitiser.
Bigger priced runners began to come to the fore in the fourth race; a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (2.00). The Evan Williams-trained Oakley, who jumped off at 12/1, had been held up in last, but made headway after the second last flight to take the lead and keep on to win by over two lengths. It was the 40/1 outsider Little Pi who was next over the line, with 8/1 shot Golden Identity in third.
Race five, a handicap chase run over three miles and a furlong (2.35), was won by /1 shot Buckna, ridden by Brendan Powell for Warren Greatrex. The favourite here had been Harry Derham’s Copshill Lad, who made a jumping mistake and weakened in the closing stages. The winner, who was running for the second time since having wind surgery, ran gamely into the finish to win by just under two lengths.
Next was a mares’ handicap hurdle run over two miles (3.10). Here, Tom Bellamy brought in his double aboard the Alan King-trained Granny Hawkins at 7/4. The daughter of Blue Bresil raced in midfield before challenging the leader on the homeward turn, running on into the lead to win by over two lengths. The favourite, Ride Like A Girl, finished fourth, beaten nearly nine lengths.
The concluding race was a bumper (3.45). Though David Pipe trained the market leader, Indulto Rouge, it was Ben Pauling who trained the winner; 10/1 shot Smile John Boy, who won under claiming rider Callum Pritchard by over five lengths, completing the handler’s double that day. The Wings Of Eagles gelding made all and went clear towards the finish line, and is unlikely to be such a price next time he races.
Hereford results – Tuesday:
Results via Racing TV, who provide all the latest free bet offers.
12.15 – Marsiac (2/9F)
12.50 – Four Springs (EvensF)
1.25 – Danny’s Friend (9/4F)
2.00 – Oakley (12/1)
2.35 – Buckna (7/1)
3.10 – Granny Hawkins (7/4)
3.45 – Smile John Boy (10/1)
