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'Special' horse Goshen hailed by Moore as he remembers son Josh's injury

Goshen (Jamie Moore) pings a hurdle in the hands of Jamie Moore
Goshen (Jamie Moore) pings a hurdle in the hands of Jamie MooreCredit: Edward Whitaker

Saturday: Ascot

Goshen is a dear horse to the Moores, but after his victory in the Coral Hurdle it was events at Haydock that had the family's figurehead Gary choked up with emotion.

The Ascot race was robbed of interest when Constitution Hill was taken out, but that made Goshen's task easier and he gobbled up the opportunity under Moore's son Jamie.

However, the yard's Botox Has minutes earlier had struck at Haydock, which is where Josh – another of the trainer's sons – suffered a career-ending injury in April that was so serious it left him in critical care.

He left hospital in the summer and Moore, explaining why he was fighting back the tears, said: "Botox Has was one of Josh's last winners and he's just won at Haydock, where Josh got that bad fall."

Of the Steve Packham-owned Goshen, Moore added: "He's a special horse to me, he's a special horse to Steve and he deserves to win a decent prize like that – although I was glad Constitution Hill came out!"

Coole Cody rips clear from Saint Calvados
Coole Cody rips clear from Saint CalvadosCredit: Edward Whitaker

Coole dude

The Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase lost its lustre when L'Homme Presse was withdrawn, but that opened the door for old favourite Coole Cody, who made his name in rough and tumble handicaps but seemed to relish a two-runner conditions event.

He had too much for the faltering Saint Calvados, who was matched for £16,000 at Betfair's minimum price of 1.01 when he built up a sizeable advantage under David Maxwell, who owns him.

However, the Evan Williams-trained Coole Cody, a Cheltenham Festival winner in the spring who has also won the track's two big pre-Christmas handicap chases, is as hard as they come.

"He's a one-in-a-lifetime horse," said owner Wayne Clifford. "You don't get them – they're rare. He was pulled up at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power last weekend, so we thought we'd go for some Graded races with small fields to see if he'd enjoy it – I think he has.

"He's the best horse I've had."

Boothill and Johnny Burke with a super leap in the autumn sunshine
Boothill and Johnny Burke with a super leap in the autumn sunshineCredit: Edward Whitaker

Quids in

Harry Fry hailed the prize-money of the £125,000 Hurst Park Handicap Chase, which he won with Boothill.

"There's no novice chase around worth that amount of money," said the trainer.

"After he won at Newton Abbot last time, there was only one race we wanted to run him in as you're only on the way up the ladder once."

Thames Water pours it on
Thames Water pours it onCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Murphy on target

Tim Murphy, joint-owner of National League outfit Solihull Moors, enjoyed his first winner when Thames Water struck in the bumper.

He owns the winner with Sonning neighbour Max McNeill, who said: "Tim was going to buy three horses with me, but then said he'd bought half a football club, so that was kiboshed, although he's got this one and I think he'll be nice."

Scarface makes all under Tom Cannon
Scarface makes all under Tom CannonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Scarface camp smiling

Scarface made all in the three-runner novice hurdle – even if those factors were against him.

Part-owner Richard O'Dwyer said: "He'll be better in a better race, but he wants to be covered up and towed along as he's got a high-cruising speed. What doesn't suit him is small fields and leading – what he's just done and got there!"

Coquelicot is too good for her rivals
Coquelicot is too good for her rivalsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sweet win for Honeyball

Anthony Honeyball anticipated a decent show from Coquelicot in the mares' handicap hurdle and that is exactly what he got.

"She's jumping better now and is in better health compared to last season, so it's clicking," the trainer said. "That didn't mean I was sure she'd win today because of the quicker ground. I was fine to run on it, but it was more a case of whether they'd quicken by her."

Results, replays and analysis


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Lambourn correspondent

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