Half century for Kim Bailey as Espoir De Romay boosts Royale Pagaille form

Espoir De Romay routed his rivals in the feature 2m4f handicap chase to bring the half century up for Kim Bailey this season and provide a pre-Cheltenham Festival form boost for Royale Pagaille.

The Midgelets-owned seven-year-old finished a seven-length second to Venetia Williams’ stable star at Haydock in December and continued his promising novice chase campaign with a second success from three starts over fences.

Bailey has operated at a 20 per cent strike-rate this campaign and has Imperial Aura, First Flow, Vinndication and Happygolucky among his high-profile runners at the festival next week.

Bailey said on Racing TV: “We’ve had high hopes for him all season and David [Bass] couldn’t believe he got beat at Haydock – look at who beat him!

“It took him a while to get over that but that was a good performance and he has a very big future.

“We’ll assess the options for the rest of the season but he does like cut in the ground and I want to nurture him as he’ll get better with age.”

Old boys to the fore

Midnight Mustang proved age is just a number as the 14-year-old led his rivals home in the 2m4f handicap chase.

Harrison Beswick's mount faced three horses half his age but made all for a fifth success and continued a good month for trainer and farrier Andrew Martin, who landed a Newbury bumper with Charlie's Glance last Saturday.

Fellow veteran Tango De Juilley landed the 2m hunters' chase under Tom Scudamore, with the 13-year-old sealing a fifth consecutive winner for trainer Venetia Williams from her last five runners.

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