'He's put us through the mill' - Gallic Geordie camp thrilled after hat-trick

Gallic Geordie made it three wins on the spin in the 2m½f handicap chase, which meant connections got their hands on the impressive Hallowe'En Trophy, although that was the least owner-breeder Kevin Glastonbury deserved after his trials and tribulations with the horse.

Trained by Sam Drinkwater, Gallic Geordie had won twice at Lingfield recently and maintained his upward trajectory with Adam Wedge aboard.

The eight-year-old's nickname – Harvey – pleased a certain ITV Racing presenter, but Smith – not Luke – was the inspiration as Glastonbury explained.

"He was foaled the day Auroras Encore won the Grand National," he said. "I foaled him in the morning and the missus [Anne] asked me what we were going to call him. Of course, Auroras then won the National and Harvey Smith was there, so I said we'd call him Harvey."

Glastonbury owns Gallic Geordie with a small syndicate, who were understandably chuffed and added: "He's been a long time in the making. I could show you all sorts of pictures on my phone.

"He had a fracture of his cannonbone, which we paid a lot of money to have fixed – he's got four screws in one of his back legs. He also had an atrial fibrillation that we had to have shocked back into place electronically.

"He's put us through the mill, but here we are. The trouble is these horses are long-term projects, this is eight years in the making. I wasn't going to breed from the mum again, but crumbs – I might not give it up."

Dashel Drasher begins to assert under Rex DingleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dashel dazzles

Smart chaser Dashel Drasher exploited a 10lb lower hurdles mark of 149 to claim the 2m4½f handicap hurdle for trainer Jeremy Scott.

Successful at the highest level in last season's Ascot Chase, he might have contested the King George VI Chase had connections known Kempton would be testing, but they – like plenty of punters – were just happy to celebrate this victory.

Patrick Tully, whose wife Bridget owns Scott's runner with Richard Lock, said: "We were very close to running him in the King George. If we had a crystal ball and could see that rain coming we probably would have run, and seeing how the race turned out he might have run alright. That's gone now and we're very lucky to have him.

"I'm just here as a hanger on, but my wife works in a vets and had to work today. She's been on the phone already, but couldn't watch it on her computer. She'll have to watch it tonight, we'll probably watch the replay a few times!"

Saint Palais (white cap) motors homeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hampshire hotpot

The Hampshire village of Kingsclere could have another trainer of note if Richard Bandey, who saddled Saint Palais to win the Mandarin Handicap Chase, continues to make a name for himself.

Bandey, a neighbour of Andrew Balding, said: "I put a new gallop in last year and it's made a massive difference, while we've been able to buy a better class of horse."

Results, replays and analysis

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