Captain Conan wins the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase without ‘touching a twig’
It was hardly doubtful that the champion of his British debut, Captain Conan, would have been anything less than pleasing in the Grade 2 Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase.
The two-miler had just his type of race with thirteen fences over the soft ground. The competitive field of six was well on their way with the last three fences still to go when a mistake by His Excellency opened up avenues for the rest of the lot to progress.
Rebel Rebellion went well out of pace while striving under the jockey, Daryl Jacob.
The favourite entry of the race, and the eventual runner-up, Sire De Grugy, shared the momentum over the final two jumps, the former proved much aggressive and determined when it came to making it across the wire.
The Nicky Henderson trained who had joined teams with jockey, Barry Geraghty, made it to the winner’s enclosure with the final two lengths in his favour.
Settling into the third position behind the winner was, Third Intention.
Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, once again found himself beaten by his arch rival, Nicky Henderson.
Henderson said: "It's hard work in this ground, but I wouldn't be too worried about him in it. I think he's a two-miler - he's got a lot of speed. It was a very pleasing start and I'm delighted.
"I don't think he touched a twig but I would have been disappointed if he had. I looked after him last season and we didn't take him to Cheltenham (in March) because this is what we had been waiting for. We've got Simonsig to come and those are the two (Arkle horses)."
The five-year-old French bay gelding made it into the British racing by capturing the prize money of the seasonal debut.
He won the Grade 1 32Red Hurdle (Novices’ Hurdle) on 7th January, 2012 at Sandown race course over two miles and half a furlong.
Four more attempts down the season, and he has added another graded success on his profile.
According to the Public Relations manager of Sky Bet’s Racing, Michael Shinners, the Triermore Stud owned was the most popular entry even before the race. His entry as the favourite and then success as the champion, both were not surprising elements for anyone.
However, the gelding did prove capable of putting up with the expectations associated with him.
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