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Reports06 January 2024

11-2 from 20-1! Dibble Decker rewards punters by landing 'fairly significant gamble' for in-form Tom Lacey

Dibble Decker (near) jumps the last and finds enough to repel Iconic Muddle (far right) and Georges Saint (centre) at Wincanton
Dibble Decker (left): jumps the last and finds enough to repel Iconic Muddle and Georges Saint at WincantonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Dibble Decker came out on top in a magnificent three-way finish with Iconic Muddle and Georges Saint to land a gamble in the feature 2m4f handicap chase for Stan Sheppard and Tom Lacey.

It was a fifth win for Dibble Decker, who was as big as 20-1 in the morning but returned a starting price of 11-2. The eight-year-old travelled best and fended off the two duelling greys to win by half a length and a head.

"It was a fairly significant gamble, but I have absolutely no idea where it came from," Lacey said. "I think the tongue-tie has aided him as he certainly hit the line harder than he has done previously. I thought he jumped very well and toughed it out."

It was Lacey's third winner from his last eight runners, meaning he is operating at an impressive 38 per cent strike-rate, and he also outlined plans for some of his stable's leading lights.

He said: "Tea Clipper is going hunter chasing with a view to going to Cheltenham and Aintree, Blow Your Wad will go to Kempton for the Pendil and then Aintree, and Operation Manna could go to the £100,000 handicap hurdle at Sandown in February."

Lord on the up

A step up in class is on the cards for Lord Of Thunder, who took his hurdling record to two wins from four runs with a dominant performance in the opening 2m5½f novice hurdle.

The six-year-old travelled strongly and quickened stylishly after the second-last hurdle to beat Casual Observer by seven and a half lengths, a performance which left his rider Brendan Powell suitably impressed.

Lord Of Thunder: progressive hurdler for the Joe Tizzard team
Brendan Powell and Lord Of Thunder fly the final flight on the way to success at WincantonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I think he's going in the right direction, he's improved since his last win," he told Racing TV. "He quickened up when I wanted him to from the back of two-out and he's put ten lengths between the others fairly rapidly. 

"Regardless of what he's beaten, he couldn't have done it much easier. He goes through this ground like it's good ground. He's quite exciting, I don't like to get too carried away but he's got a nice future. He's earned the right now to step up in grade."

Nolan double

Micheal Nolan will be hoping 2024 continues as it has begun as the rider partnered a double with successes aboard Mairis Icon in the 1m7f mares' novice hurdle and Daany in the 1m7f handicap hurdle.


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