Andy Irvine ends 220-day barren spell as Dream Du Grand Val lands gamble
Thursday: Lingfield
"I didn't have a penny on him," exclaimed trainer Andy Irvine after Dream Du Grand Val landed a gamble in the 2m3½f claiming hurdle.
The 4-1 winner had been as big as 12-1 earlier in the day. His market support came as a surprise to his trainer as the eight-year-old had been reluctant to race on numerous occasions, frequently having to be walked to the start by a handler.
"I thought he might not start, he's a bit of a monkey," said Irvine.
"I was watching the price tumbling down and I didn't have a penny on him. Well done to whoever backed him, but it wasn't me. James [Bowen] gave him a superb ride and thankfully he didn't get claimed."
The East Sussex-based trainer was ending a 220-day drought without a winner and added: "It feels like a long time between drinks, but now we're moving forward and can hopefully start banging in the winners."
1,000th jumps winner for Moore
Gary Moore achieved a landmark 1,000th jumps winner in Britain after Movethechains completed a course-and-distance hat-trick in the 2m7½f handicap chase.
The seven-year-old has been in sparkling form since joining the West Sussex trainer, winning three of his four starts.
Son Jamie Moore was in the saddle for the milestone and told Sky Sports Racing: "It's a good achievement, it's over that with the Flat horses combined – he can train five-furlong sprinters up to three-mile chasers.
"He's in the yard every day, mucking out and grooming the horses, he knows them inside out."
A return to the Surrey track could be on the cards for Movethechains at the inaugural Winter Million Festival, where he could step up in trip to tackle the Surrey National.
Read these next:
'I didn't see us winning like that' – Madame Tantzy causes 80-1 shock at Kempton
'It developed into a complete farce' - All Class comes home alone to land gamble
Win the ultimate Cheltenham Festival experience in the Racing Post Christmas Countdown. You and three friends could travel to the festival in style with helicopter transfers from your hotel. Simply place a bet on the Racing Post app this Friday to be entered into the prize draw, plus there are weekly prizes to be won. Find out the full details here.
Published on 25 November 2021inReports
Last updated 17:50, 25 November 2021
- Cheltenham: 'It's nice to finish on a high' - relief for Harry Fry as fortunes change with luckless In Excelsis Deo
- Newmarket: Jayarebe sets up possible Prix du Jockey Club tilt after impressing in Feilden Stakes
- Nell Gwyn: rerouted Oisin Orr drives home Pretty Crystal to dent hot favourite Dance Sequence's 1,000 Guineas ambitions
- Naas: Jack Kennedy remains four clear of Paul Townend in title race after both get in on the act
- Newmarket: Ten Bob Tony emerges as 2,000 Guineas dark horse after all-the-way win in opening day feature
- Cheltenham: 'It's nice to finish on a high' - relief for Harry Fry as fortunes change with luckless In Excelsis Deo
- Newmarket: Jayarebe sets up possible Prix du Jockey Club tilt after impressing in Feilden Stakes
- Nell Gwyn: rerouted Oisin Orr drives home Pretty Crystal to dent hot favourite Dance Sequence's 1,000 Guineas ambitions
- Naas: Jack Kennedy remains four clear of Paul Townend in title race after both get in on the act
- Newmarket: Ten Bob Tony emerges as 2,000 Guineas dark horse after all-the-way win in opening day feature