{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}
Trending:

‘It’s huge for the yard’: local trainer relishes long-awaited win at Cheltenham Festival

Gemma Redrup Gemma Redrup

    • Local trainer Kim Bailey and jockey David Bass were back in the winner’s enclosure for the first time in four years when Chianti Classico won today’s Ultima Handicap Chase [12 March] at the Cheltenham Festival.

    Chianti Classico, a seven-year-old owned by Sir Francis Brooke and R A Pilkington, went off at odds of 6/1 and came home four-and-a-half lengths clear of his nearest rival in a 21-runner field.

    David Bass said: “What a lovely horse. He just travelled and jumped everywhere. I was there miles too soon, but he’s got a touch of class. It’s brilliant for the owners, brilliant for the yard – we’ve been a bit quiet, but we can get them to the big day in good form.

    “It meant a lot. It’s an absolute privilege to ride good horses here – I’m so lucky. It’s hard to win here – 2020 was the last time I rode a winner here and that’s too long.

    “I managed to get to the front and get a breather into him, get over the last two and he had a little peck at the last, but he picked up well and I think he’s won quite well in the end.  He’s a progressive horse and exciting. It’s an amazing feeling.”

    Chianti Classico’s trainer, Horse & Hound’s regular columnist and recent guest on The Horse & Hound Podcast Kim Bailey said: “It’s huge. It’s huge for the yard, Matt my assistant and all the team at home have worked so hard on this. They believed in the horse. David has been confident all along and he was right. He adores this horse and says he’s a big terrier. He’s as hard as nails and not very big, but he’s got so much ability and he’s so agile – and always has been.

    “When Aiden Murphy and I bought him, we always said we’d bring him here, but I never thought it would happen. We’ve been knocking at the door here for a while so it’s great for everybody that we’ve done it today – it’s huge for the team. Having winners at Cheltenham is what it’s all about. The owners are big supporters of racing and this has been the plan for a long time.”

    You might also be interested in:

    Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    Gemma Redrup
    Gemma Redrup

    H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor
    Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
    Gemma Redrup

    You may like...