Anthony Honeyball’s Park Princess left no room for doubt as to her ability with a runaway victory in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.
The Walk In The Park six-year-old was one of three horses from the stable, with Easy Love and Limerick Lass also lining up for the three-and-a-half-mile Listed event.
An 11-1 chance under Sam Twiston-Davies, Park Princess put a blip last time in the Jane Seymour behind her and clearly relished the step up in trip on soft ground to canter home 21 lengths to the good over Dream Shadow, with Limerick Lass back in third.
“She’s a lovely mare, our other two mares were always going to sit quite handy so she had a nice lead into the race,” said Honeyball.
“Sam was trying to go down the inner, almost on the chase course just to try to get a bit of better ground, and he did a great job.
“She ran a very professional race, the difference from last time was that she was in the first race so we had all the time in the world to get her settled and ready as she was very buzzy at Warwick.
“She was great today, she jumped, she travelled, she stayed. She’s in the Albert Bartlett and I wouldn’t rule her out, provided she comes out of this OK, or we could try to get her into a handicap at Aintree.”
Mighty Bandit continued on an upward trajectory with a wide-margin win in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase.
Trained by Warren Greatrex and ridden by James Bowen, the six-year-old has won his past two starts in handicaps and was carrying an 8lb rise for his troubles after an eight-length triumph over this course and distance last time.
The added weight was no hindrance, and in a field of five the gelding strode to a straightforward 17-length victory as the 13-8 favourite.
“Last time I had to ask him up a few times because he was backing away a bit, but today I couldn’t fault him,” said Bowen.
“He let the fences come to him and he was brilliant.
“He’ll go up a bit again (in rating), handicaps might become a bit harder for him but while he’s still a novice it might be an idea to go for a nice race.
“He will get further in time but there’s no need this season.”
Leader Crik got off the mark for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Maiden Hurdle.
Ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies as a 5-1 chance, the five-year-old returned from a 127-day break to score by 12 lengths on his second start under rules.
Mark Walford’s Caramelo Rapido put a string of beaten efforts behind him to come good in the Virgin Bet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, prevailing by three and a quarter lengths at 11-4 to give Bowen a double.
Docpickedme successfully switched back to timber to take the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle for trainer Richard Hobson.
A smart chaser who previously won the Great Yorkshire Chase, the 10-year-old was fourth in the same contest when last seen after a prior Doncaster win over the same course and distance.
His mark over hurdles allowed more room for manoeuvre, especially with the booking of 3lb claimer Charlie Maggs who guided the chestnut to a half-length win as the 5-2 joint-favourite.
“There weren’t really too many options for him, and his hurdle mark was 10lb lower than his mark over fences,” said Hobson.
“It was a great opportunity, especially with the way he ran first time out at Newbury (over hurdles).
“It’s not really his ground, so we did ask Charlie to try to get first run on them because he’s so tough.
“He’ll run once more and then have a break, he’s had a busy season so we’ll save him for next year when he’s a veteran.”
