Phoenix Des Mottes, Al Co and Enter Milan prevail at Fakenham on 8th May, 2012
After a series of average performances, Phoenix Des Mottes finally broke through for his jockey, Joe Cornwall, as he scored a massive victory in the Totepool Handicap Chase at Fakenham on 8th May, 2012 - which he entered with a chance of 10 to 1.
The son of Useful, out of mare Camille Des Mottes, claimed the victory over race favourite, Springfield Raki, as he defeated him by 1 ½ lengths.
The winning jockey expressed his delight but could not hide his surprise as he stated that:
"I'm delighted. I didn't think he'd go in the ground with the rain before racing. He's surprised us all as he only usually wins in his turn. Before he won at Stratford (in March), I hadn't had a win on him for two years."
Cornwall stated that the nine-year-old gelding worked very hard for him, and saved his face. He thought that the soft surface of the track would hinder the runner, but in fact he handled it quite well.
Fakenham also hosted the At The Races Novices' Chase yesterday, which was just as shocking.
The exciting event was dominated by the Peter Bowen trained Al Co, who was formerly trained by Jonjo O’Neill until 14th November, 2011.
The seven-year-old gelding was mounted by jockey, Dougie Costello, and together the duo swiftly conquered the track and landed the victory by a massive margin of 21 lengths ahead of, Same Difference.
The race favourite, Deireadh Re, also fell short of expectations, as he missed the chance to finish as a runner-up by a massive margin of 53 lengths and the victory by 74 lengths.
Enter Milan, the seven-year-old gelding trained by John Flint, raced as a long shot with a 4-1 chance, but he also surprised his connections as he emerged victorious from the SIS Novices' Hurdle at Fakenham.
The son of Milan, out of mare, Eva Fay, was coupled with jockey Sam Thomas, and the duo worked well together as they took the lead, and defeated the Paul Nicholls trained, Captain Kelly, by 4 lengths, whereas the race favourite, Kilmacowen, finished 21 lengths after the runner-up.
It seemed that the evening belonged to the under-dogs as none of the race favourites could succeed but the victories were a source of pride for the runners and their connections.
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