Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
2m 7f 185y Good to Soft (Soft in places)
held up in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on and in touch with leader approaching last, stayed on, led final strides
disputed lead, headed before 2nd, headway to dispute lead before 4 out, led outright and ridden before 2 out where not fluent, diminishing advantage approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, headed final strides
held up in midfield, not fluent 9th, ridden before 3 out, not clear run 2 out, kept on run-in, went third near finish, never nearer
close up in touch, ridden before 2 out where mistake, chased leaders approaching last, kept on, lost third near finish
held up in midfield, ridden before 2 out, kept on approaching last, stayed on, nearest finish
disputed lead, led outright before 2nd, joined before 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, faded into fourth approaching last, no extra run-in
prominent, not fluent 5th, ridden before 16th, bad mistake and lost position 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
held up in rear, not fluent 11th, ridden before 15th, outpaced before 2 out, no impression run-in
held up in midfield, headway and not fluent 17th, soon driven, outpaced before 2 out, no impression before last
mounted in chute and went to post early, midfield, chased leaders before 15th, lost position 3 out, soon ridden and faded
midfield, weakened before 16th, soon ridden, pulled up before 2 out
went to post early, midfield, ridden and pulled up before 2 out
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| CSF | £117.01 (10, 5) |
| Tricast | £730.46 (10, 5, 7) |
| Win | £11.00 (10) |
| Place | £3.20 (10), £3.10 (5), £2.20 (7) |
| Swinger | £17.80 (5, 7), £15.10 (5, 10), £8.50 (7, 10) |
| Exacta | £134.10 (10, 5) |
| Trifecta | £1,130.20 (10, 5, 7) |
Although this was an extremely competitive handicap chase, at the same time, I suspect that we might see a different outcome every time if the race were rerun half a dozen times. Position is often key entering the short straight at Ascot and on this occasion the leader gave himself every chance and was possibly a shade unfortunate to be caught on the line by a horse that had sneaked up his inside.
DEEP CAVE After making a mistake at the very first fence he was always playing catch up. His rider stuck to the inside route throughout and was arguably fortunate that a gap opened up for him on the inside rail in the closing stages. Only two lengths separated the first five horses to finish which adds substance to the notion that this was a tight knit handicap chase.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE He may well have won a shade comfortably but for getting in close to the second last fence and losing momentum in the process. The handicapper has taken on board the narrow margins between the front five horses and the first three horses have been raised minimally as a consequence.
JOHNNYWHO I doubt the short straight played to his strengths. He only just got up a head of steam after the final fence and would have prevailed in another few yards. He should be seen to better effect on softer ground on a track with a longer home straight.
HYLAND I would suggest that he has developed into a most consistent and reliable chaser. He just needs the word ‘soft’ not to appear in the official going description to show his best form. Hopefully, he will enjoy such an opportunity at one of the spring festivals.
VICTTORINO The rapid late headway he made was a little disguised by the way that Johnnywho made up even more ground late on. He was closest at the finish and may need a softer surface to improve upon this display. The sun made the first fence very difficult to see; however, he did appear to make a mistake before finding himself well behind jumping the second fence.
HENRY’S FRIEND We can only guess as to whether his run eight days earlier played a part in his tired looking finish.
BLOW YOUR WAD He appeared all set to run through the gap between Johnnywho and Hyland when blundering badly at the second last fence. He had been driven from off the final bend but had found plenty for pressure over this course and distance on his previous outing. My best guess is that he would have finished close up in fourth or fifth at worst but for that late error.
TRANSMISSION After a mistake at the first fence his jumping often lacked fluency and he was never able to get competitive.
PIC ROC He was just behind the leaders on the outside and going as well as most when hitting four out and losing all chance.
GA LAW He has y et to prove his stamina for this trip and certainly dropped away in the style of a non-stayer here.
TWO FOR GOLD Having managed to acquire that all important inside rail towards the front he then hit the first fence hard and immediately lost that potential advantage. He was less than fluent at the next and probably needed everything to fall into place for him to play a part in the latter stages. Maybe he will require a softer surface to give him a better chance at this level.
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE His trainer and jockey stated pre-race that he was badly handicapped and so will be pleased to see the handicapper dropped him 3lbs after he was pulled up after the third last fence.
| Year | Going | Ran | Winner | Draw | Age | Weight | OR | Form | Last run | Trainer (Distance) | Jockey | SP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Good to Soft | 8 | Victtorino | 6 | 11 2 | 143 | 1174P-3 | 21 days | Miss V Williams (120 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 5/ 2 | 6:09.98 | |
| 2023 | Good | 10 | Victtorino | 5 | 12 0 | 142 | 12574-1 | 49 days | Miss V Williams (120 miles) | Charlie Deutsch | 4/ 1 | 6:09.46 | |
| 2021 | Good to Soft | 13 | Annsam | 6 | 10 10 | 134 | F21P-43 | 21 days | Evan Williams (136 miles) | Adam Wedge | 7/ 1 | 6:08.95 | |
| 2020 | Heavy | 10 | Mister Malarky | 7 | 11 5 | 150 | 6P1P-6U | 21 days | C L Tizzard (100 miles) | Harry Cobden | 16/ 1 | 6:28.00 | |
| 2019 | Heavy | 10 | Regal Encore | 11 | 10 7 | 142 | 7-2082P | 21 days | A J Honeyball (120 miles) | Richie McLernon | 16/ 1 | 6:17.40 | |
| 2018 | Soft | 12 | Valtor | 9 | 11 3 | 148 | 3332-67 | 69 days | N J Henderson (27 miles) | James Bowen | 33/ 1 | 6:03.56 | |
| 2017 | Good to Soft | 14 | Gold Present | 7 | 11 3 | 147 | 1522F-1 | 21 days | N J Henderson (27 miles) | Nico De Boinville | 17/ 2 | 6:09.40 | |
| 2016 | Good to Soft | 14 | Regal Encore | 8 | 11 1 | 144 | PPP-2PP | 8 days | A J Honeyball (120 miles) | B J Geraghty | 20/ 1 | 6:03.10 | |
| 2015 | Good to Soft | 13 | Wakanda | 6 | 11 5 | 151 | 2124-11 | 21 days | J Parkinson & S Smith (209 miles) | Danny Cook | 8/ 1 | 6:08.30 | |
| 2014 | Good to Soft | 9 | The Young Master | 5 | 10 9 | 144 | 1-1011D | 42 days | N P Mulholland (91 miles) | B J Geraghty | 3/ 1 | 6:03.10 | |
| 2013 | Soft | 7 | Houblon Des Obeaux | 6 | 11 6 | 152 | 3274-16 | 21 days | Miss V Williams (120 miles) | Aidan Coleman | 6/ 4 | 6:23.48 | |
| 2012 | Heavy | 6 | Wyck Hill | 8 | 10 0 | 135 | 311F2-1 | 35 days | D G Bridgwater (86 miles) | Tom Scudamore | 4/ 1 | 6:35.00 | |
| 2011 | Soft | 12 | The Minack | 7 | 11 1 | 150 | 7113P-1 | 42 days | P F Nicholls (96 miles) | Ruby Walsh | 11/ 4 | 6:06.40 | |
| 2008 | Good to Soft | 14 | Niche Market | 7 | 10 0 | 132 | DU44P-3 | 36 days | R H Buckler (134 miles) | Harry Skelton | 33/ 1 | 6:12.00 | |
| 2007 | Good to Firm | 14 | Vodka Bleu | 8 | 10 3 | 131 | P0400-0 | 35 days | D Pipe (140 miles) | Timmy Murphy | 12/ 1 | 6:00.00 | |
| 2006 | Good to Soft | 18 | Billyvoddan | 7 | 10 12 | 139 | 3419U-5 | 28 days | H D Daly (137 miles) | Leighton Aspell | 25/ 1 | 6:08.60 |
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