Woo-hoo! Delight for racecourse syndicate as Ki Woo claims home win

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Talk about a home banker. The Haydock Park Racing-owned Ki Woo was welcomed back by a huge team of delighted owners following his success in the feature Tim Molony Handicap Chase.

Trained in nearby Cheshire by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, Ki Woo emerged victorious from a four-way tussle in the home straight, eventually pulling six lengths clear at the line to score decisively under Craig Nichol.

"He's gone up in trip and jumped really well," said Greenall. "He's a small horse who did well over hurdles and he probably hasn't improved as much as we thought over a fence. 

"He doesn't cope with soft ground and he hasn't had that many runs this season, so we'll run him on through the spring and summer. He might be one for the Highland National at Perth, if he doesn't go too high in the handicap."

Greenall is a big believer in the multiple benefits of syndicates and was pleased that Ki Woo read the script to add to his two hurdle wins at Bangor last season.

"It's a good club – they do a stable visit and have a room here," he said. "It's more than just owning a share in a horse and they've all become good friends. A lot of them have other shares with us now because of it." 

Up and down day

Donald McCain must have thought his luck was out after Solid Performer fell with the maiden hurdle at his mercy, but the trainer finished the day with a double courtesy of Static and Idaho Valley.

On his first start for his new owner Gary Fitzpatrick, Static gained his first success in Britain when winning the 2m3f handicap hurdle at 12-1 under in-form conditional Charlie Maggs.

"We've turned up on a lot of big days and he's a good, hardy horse who wears his heart on his sleeve," said McCain. "Gary is local and was after a new horse, so it's lovely. I think he'll go to Aintree for the conditional jockeys' race as it means a lot to people in the north west."

Static wins on a first start for his new owner Gary Fitzpatrick Credit: John Grossick

After a few placed finishes, Idaho Valley got his head in front with the combination of a tongue-tie and a step up in trip making the difference in the 2m5f novice handicap hurdle.

On Solid Performer, who came to grief at the second-last which allowed Chemoulin to capitalise, McCain said: "He was going to win nicely and we always get a great kick out of the Hemmings horses running well here." 

Cheltenham next

Ruby Island is on course for Cheltenham – but next month, not next week.

The mare got the better of Gamesters Guy in a match for the 2m4f novice chase to hand Nicky Richards a fourth winner from five runners.

"She jumps lovely and slick and kept putting the pressure on the other one, pinching half a length here and there," the trainer said.

"All being well, her next race will be at Cheltenham in April for a valuable handicap, which will be her Gold Cup."

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