'It's disgraceful Prince Charles isn't here' - witty owner claims royal victory

Ludlow: Wednesday

Prince Charles may not have been present to see the race named in his honour, but his absence couldn't spoil the occasion for winning owner John Perriss – even if he joked that the non-attendance of the Prince of Wales was "disgraceful".

The joy was not just due to the manner in which Bobhopeornohope ruthlessly made all in the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase, but was also justification for the decision-making of Perriss and assistant trainer Mat Nicholls, who was holding the fort with with Kim Bailey in Sri Lanka. The pair had discussed at length which amateur should get the ride, and in Gina Andrews the right call was made.

Andrews got the seven-year-old jumping boldly and the pair had enough in reserve to defeat Jimmy The Digger by six lengths.

Watch Bobhopeornohope win at Ludlow

Perriss said: "We thought he'd run well and we spent quite a long time analysing who would ride. You just need to look at Gina's form – she's got a great record in point-to-points and has won 16 chases under rules in the last five years. She more than knows the game.

"It's great to win any race, even an egg and spoon race at Plumpton is difficult to win, but this is a proper racecourse and I love winners at Ludlow. I've been at it for 30 years, my first winner was here in 1996. It's disgraceful he's [Prince Charles] not here, it's the one blot on the day!"

The victory comes at a handy time for leading amateur Andrews, with the Cheltenham Festival less than three weeks away. Her services have already been snapped up for Wetherby winner Dubai Quest in the St James's Place Hunters' Chase, and she is eager to return with Covid restrictions last year denying amateurs a chance to ride.

"I missed out big time," she said. "It'll be good to be back as it was horrendous last year. We had a nice runner in the hunter chase which my sister Bridget rode [Latenightpass, fourth], which wasn't so bad, but it was horrible watching. It was harder watching it than it is riding in it.

"I ride Dubai Quest, who has a good chance, in the Hunters' Chase, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed I might pick up something in the National Hunt Chase and Kim Muir."

Bobhopeornohope's victory completed a quick double for the Bailey stable after Mr Grey Sky had won the 2m handicap hurdle 35 minutes earlier.

Williams on target

Christian Williams went close in the 2m5f handicap hurdle with 50-1 shot Groom D'Oudairies, but did not have to wait long for compensation.

The trainer's Duneomeno struck in the very next race when stepping forward markedly for the switch to handicap chasing to score by two lengths.

On his improvement, Williams said: "I think he's matured and is from a good stallion in No Risk At All. The fences probably helped too.

"That's a nice confidence boost as we've got a big Saturday coming up with three – Cap Du Nord, Five Star Getaway and Kitty's Light – in the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton, and we'll have Potters Corner and Win My Wings heading up to Newcastle for the Eider."

50 up

Nigel Twiston-Davies reached the half-century mark for the season when Lord Of Cheshire landed the 2m maiden hurdle.

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