Wishfull Thinking had his wish come true in the Shloer Chase
Just with the elimination of the Nicky Henderson entry, Sprinter Sacre, the field of six in the Shloer Chase was left wide open for the Philip Hobbs’ trained, Wishfull Thinking, to destroy. The favourite entry of the race was supposed to give the withdrawn candidate competition, but the rain brought in different fates for both the trainers, one winning the race and the other withdrawing the hope for success in the test.
The field was so very vulnerable that even when the nine-year-old chestnut gelding made a blunder right at the beginning of the race, he quickly found grounds for settling accounts and redeeming the mishap.
The amazing success that came coupled with the impressive eighteen lengths margin gave the connections the reason to celebrate.
Winning and that too from the entry of the hall mark trainer, Paul Nicholls, was one h**l of an accomplishment that is really hard for many trainers to experience.
Doeslessthanme, with jockey, Daryl Jacob, onboard had to come at terms with the second position while filling in the third slot was, Imperial Shabra.
Hobbs said: "I'm delighted. The main problem for a long time has been his breathing - he's had three breathing operations. But this season he has been better with his breathing. We had a scare at the first fence, but he did it well. The Peterborough Chase (Huntingdon, December 13) is now the obvious race - that's definitely an option."
Johnson said: "We had a big scare but he jumped really well."
Alflora’s chestnut gelding has been active in six outings ever since the new season shot in.
The race proved to be a first time that Wishfull Thinking won a race.
Mrs. Diana L. Whateley owned ended sixth in the line-up of eight in the Grade 1 25th Anniversary Of The Victor Chandler Chase on 21st January, 2012 at Ascot over two miles and a furlong.
Just before this success, he scored as the runner-up in the Grade 2 Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase on 27th October, 2012 at Aintree over two miles and four furlongs.
The race was landed by, For Non Stop, who was trained by, Nick Williams.
Plans as to race him in the future have not been made public.
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