'An incredible effort' - how Kim Bailey team overcame snow deluge to land winner

Ludlow: Tuesday

The Kim Bailey team had to endure removing a foot of snow across their half-a-mile gallop in freezing temperatures to ensure horses could continue to train last week and their commitment to the cause was matched on the racecourse by a courageous performance from Bobhopeornohope.

For the first time in ten days, frost did not force the cancellation of a jumps fixture in Britain but it left particularly tacky ground, not ideal conditions for the topweight to make all under David Bass in the 3m handicap chase.

There were concerns about his fitness as wintry weather disrupted his preparation, but his determination shone when fending off Volcano by a neck in a gruelling finish up the straight. He was conceding just shy of two stone to that rival.

Bailey's assistant Mat Nicholls was thrilled by the performance and hailed his team for their efforts in the early hours of Monday morning last week, with half tasked with clearing snow on the gallops while the remainder trotted horses prior to exercise. Temperatures at that time were well below freezing.

"This is great for all of the staff, we had over a foot of snow last week but everyone took to the shovels, dug the entire gallop and then got every single horse out every day. It was a tough old week but what an incredible effort," he said.

"We were unable to do any fast work as it was so cold but we were able to get on the gallop because of the work that was put in. We came here today a little nervous about him because we hadn't done fast work but we managed to canter every day.

"He's given almost two stone to the second and beaten him, he's very tough. It was a good performance off a big weight."

The seven-year-old, sporting the blue and pink silks of John Perriss, could now be aimed at Kempton's prestigious Coral Trophy Handicap Chase on February 25.

Desque delivers

Venetia Williams will have leading fancies in the King George and Welsh National in L'Homme Presse and Quick Wave over the festive period and won the feature at Ludlow with Desque De L'Isle.

The nine-year-old was close to being beaten on the line by the fast-finishing Bun Doran in the £24,000 2m handicap chase, but prevailed by a nose to back up a recent course-and-distance win.

Williams said: "I thought it was a dead-heat when I first watched it so I'm happy we got it. We're delighted, winners are hard to come by, especially with so much racing missed."

Injury concern

Amateur jockey Roisin Leech was taken to hospital after being knocked out from a fall on Mythical Hero in the opening 2m5f handicap hurdle.

She regained consciousness before being taken for a CT scan at nearby Hereford hospital.

The Henry Daly-trained Regal Renaissance won the race, taking advantage of the final hurdle fall of leader Haas Boy.

Happy retirement

Jockeys came out the weighing room to applaud long-serving medical officer Dr John Heathcock, who is to retire at the end of the year.

Results, replays and analysis

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