'He's done everything we could have asked' - Bandey's Saint Palais strikes again

Saturday: Uttoxeter

First impressions are not everything and Saint Palais has surpassed all expectations for trainer Richard Bandey, gaining a fourth win from five starts this season in the 3m novice handicap chase.

The Tim Syder-owned five-year-old is small in stature but boasts a progressive profile, coming up short in Grade 2 novice company at Wetherby last month but otherwise unbeaten in handicaps over fences.

A hurdling campaign beckons next term with Bandey keen to put Saint Palais’s experience and novice status to good use in staying contests.

Bandey, who boasts a 19 per cent strike-rate this season, said of the Harry Bannister-ridden winner: "When he first arrived I wanted to send him back as he was small and the yard cat had more flesh on him. He had a fantastic pedigree behind him though and it’s just been a matter of time. He’s progressed so well and he’s a credit to the team.

"He's done everything we could have asked of him this season and we'll mind him to be a nice horse back over fences in two seasons’ time. We'll have a go as a novice hurdler in staying races next season and give him time to grow and strengthen."

Dream result

Bar a dead-heat, the 2m7½f handicap hurdle could not have panned out much better for part-owner Alan Dennett, who has a share in winner Serious Charges and runner-up Pulling Stumps.

The Anthony Honeyball-trained Serious Charges, owned by Potwell Racing, brought up a hat-trick on his handicap hurdle debut with a six and a half length victory under Rex Dingle, with a trip to the Punchestown festival potentially next.

Dennett said: "They are two lovely horses and I’m privileged to be involved in both along with lovely people. Serious Charges is a serious horse and he’s a lovely big galloper. I'll have to book my Ryanair flights for Punchestown now!"

Deserved success

Beauport did his favourite status with conditional Jordan Nailor no harm when staying on best to land the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Nailor is the regular rider of the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained six-year-old, who gained a deserved win for owners Bryan and Philippa Burrough having finished second in three starts this campaign.

Nailor said: "He’s a lovely horse and I ride him quite a bit at home. He’s quite strong and always runs off with me. I can’t thank his owners enough for having me on him regularly and winners on these big days are what it’s all about."

Flawless Fame

Kerry Lee unleashed a potentially smart prospect when New Found Fame made a winning debut in the 2m4f novice hurdle.

The West Coast Haulage Limited-owned six-year-old is a half-brother to multiple winners Arctic Skipper and Castle Robin and scored by four and three quarter lengths under Jonathan Burke. The rider was denied a double when Coupdebol fell at the last in the 2m4f handicap chase won by Mille Sussurri.

Lee said: "He's very well bred and had showed us all the right signs at home. I hope he'll be a nice three-mile chaser."

Results, replays and analysis

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