Inexperience did not hold back Grand Geste, who confidently triumphed in the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock, only on his third attempt over fences. Trainer Danny McMenamin, jockey Joel Parkinson, and owner Sue Smith had tipped the gray horse as favorites at 15-8. They have had strong recent performances in handicap chases, with Confusion winning the Rehearsal Chase and O’Connell taking the London National.
Grand Geste had previously placed second in his last two chases but improved significantly this time, leading from the front and demonstrating excellent jumping skills. The six-year-old secured a commanding victory by six and a half lengths over My Silver Lining. Parkinson shared with Racing TV, “He’s a lovely horse. We had some quiet confidence going in. It’s only my third ride over fences with him, but he’s a dependable jumper, so I wanted to give it a go. We’ll see what the handicapper decides next, but this horse is very exciting.”
McMenamin added, “He jumped effortlessly everywhere. The trainer’s strategic placement paid off.” He also noted the favorable weight carried (10st 2lb), which helped Grand Geste get an ideal start. “I didn’t want him to bolt off, but once he took the lead, there was no point in holding him back. He’s a visionary and a solid, big chaser with plenty of room to improve.”
Meanwhile, Harry Durham’s Lario made an impressive fencing debut by winning the Betfred ‘Bet Builder’ ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginner’s Chase with jockey Paul O’Brien. The six-year-old horse, who has shown promise multiple times in hurdles, took charge after switching to fences despite entering the race at German level. Although a strong contender, Bill Joyce—a favorite with a record of 5 wins and 6 losses—tried closing in, but Lario prevailed by two lengths.
Durham commented, “He jumped beautifully and found a smooth rhythm today. I’ve always believed he’s a very good horse, but he hadn’t won yet—he kept facing tough competition last year. I thought he was faster than he is, but he’s a real fighter. He might not reach the top tier, but he can certainly become a very good chaser.”
In other racing news, Sam England’s stable enjoyed success despite struggles from their jockey lineup. Tom Midgley, riding at 7-1 odds, won the Betfred Nifty 50 Conditions Jockeys Handicap Hurdle on a hurler, while Richie McLennon took the Betfred Supported Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle aboard Saligo Bey at 5-1.
Fan Take: This update highlights exciting emerging talent in the chasing ranks, signaling a promising future for these young horses. For horse racing fans, these performances emphasize the thrill of watching rising stars who could become key competitors and fan favorites in upcoming seasons.
