Gidleigh Park puts heart issue behind him with pulsating win in Lightning Novices' Chase

A heart issue resulted in Gidleigh Park being pulled up on his highly anticipated chasing debut in November, but two months on he bounced back to win the Grade 2 Lightning Novices' Chase.

A winner at the same level in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham last January, the towering Gidleigh Park always looked a strong candidate for chasing but things did not go to plan at Kempton, when he exited the race early and was dismounted by Bryan Carver.

However, he was a different proposition this time as the pair set a strong pace and attacked the fences, with their three rivals soon under pressure. While 4-6 favourite Caldwell Potter closed up at the third-last, Gidleigh Park ultimately ran out a dominant four-length winner at 15-2.

"We're back where we want to be," said trainer Harry Fry. "Relief is the overriding feeling but I'm delighted to see him come out and jump and gallop and hit the line hard like we know he can.

"After the last day we needed to come and see him do it on the track. Obviously winning is what it's all about but it's very much the icing on the cake. A lot of work has gone into getting him back here, from the whole team at home, my wife Ciara who rides him every day and our vets."

Carver, who rode the horse for the first time at Kempton but is a key member of Fry's team, was enjoying his first major success at the Berkshire Winter Million meeting.

"I'm absolutely delighted," he said. "It's a milestone everyone wants to get and it's taken me a while. Harry and Ciara have been very good to me this season so I'm thrilled to be here and win a nice one. He's obviously got a massive engine – he's a pleasure to be involved with."

Fry was reluctant to discuss targets for the seven-year-old, but he's now as short as 16-1 for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival. He finished sixth in last year's Albert Bartlett at the meeting.

"We've only done the bare minimum at this point to make sure everything went smoothly," Fry said. "There will be improvement to come and this track wouldn't have suited a big, galloping horse."

Squirrel scurries to victory

Secret Squirrel was cut to 8-1 favourite for the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Newbury after a clearcut success under Nico de Boinville. 

The striking chestnut atoned for falling at the last at Ascot last month with a two-length victory over Kabral Du Mathan in the 2m handicap hurdle and set up a tilt at the £155,000 challenge on February 8. 

"It's not a bad consolation, is it?" winning trainer Hughie Morrison said. "What's surprising for a horse who is quite effeminate is that Nico said he's really tough. As long as he's all right, the William Hill Hurdle will be the game."

Morrison has a unique link to Secret Squirrel as his owner, breeder and trainer, and he explained how the six-year-old stood out mentally as well as physically from an early age. 

He said: "The day he was born he'd walk up to you and knock you over. We broke him in as a yearling because he was such a pain."

Paddy prevails for Russell

A battle of wills in the 3m novice hurdle could only have one winner according to Lucinda Russell as the exciting Derryhassen Paddy maintained his unbeaten run with a determined victory over Honky Tonk Highway.

"I was surprised Dan [Skelton]'s horse tried to intimidate him because he's not the sort of horse you want to try that with," Russell said. "He's a beast, so I knew he'd come back.

"I've always thought he was phenomenal. With the stride he has they can hardly live with him. I'm really pleased for Richard [Gilbert, owner], and I have to admit I kept a share because I just love the horse so much. He's wonderful."

Lion roars to success

Kerry Lee hailed her stable star Nemean Lion as he ground out a gutsy win over Salver in the five-runner 2m4f hurdle.

"He's an absolute superstar," Lee said. "He really just loves being a racehorse and he's so much fun. He's immaculately behaved but he's got an amazing personality."

There was a sad postscript to the day as Carbon King and Red Rookie suffered fatal falls in the concluding 2m6f handicap chase won by Hasthing.

Read more . . . 

'People have no idea' - Paul Nicholls defends Caldwell Potter against critics and plots possible Cheltenham Festival move 

Narrow escape for jockey jogging on course during dramatic race at Market Rasen 

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