'Absolute superstar' Chianti Classico makes all under top weight to land valuable Ascot prize

Chianti Classico was hailed as an "absolute superstar" by Kim Bailey after making all in the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup despite carrying top weight.

Last season's Ultima winner got his campaign off to a fine start when winning by three lengths from Highstakesplayer under new stable jockey Tom Bellamy. He was sent off the 11-4 favourite after a productive first season over fences, in which he was also fourth in the Mildmay Novices' Chase.

"He's an absolute superstar doing that carrying top weight," said Bailey. "He jumped really well and gave it a brave old jump at the last. I've always said the Grand National is going to be his main aim this season. We'll see how he comes out of this and we might think about the Becher Chase."

Chianti Classico: could be aimed at the BecherCredit: Alan Crowhurst

It was a poignant success for the winning connections following the death of Chianti Classico's breeder David O'Connell, and Bailey added: "Sadly he died recently. He used to travel over for every single run. He came to see him at Cheltenham and he was such a lovely man."

Team effort

Venetia Williams was full of praise for work-rider and groom Meg Jones after Martator stayed on powerfully to land the 2m1f handicap chase.

Jones, who is engaged to winning jockey Charlie Deutsch, regularly partners the seven-year-old at home, despite being eight months pregnant.

"I want to keep working but it gets harder by the day," said Jones. "I've not got long to go and will be watching from the other side of the fence."

Martator (right): winning for the fourth time in a rowCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Williams, who said her yard was responsible for a lot of weddings, added: "Meg rode Martator three times this week. He's quite keen at home and Meg rides him better than any of the jockeys."

Martator recorded his fourth victory in a row when keeping on well after the last to finish a length and three-quarters clear of Issar D'Airy.

"That was amazing," added Williams. "He's one of the few I'm happy to run on drier ground. He's quite a small horse, light on his feet. Turning for home it looked like he had a chance but then he met the second-last on a bad stride before staying on well."

Worth the wait

Chris Gordon ended his long wait for a winner when Our Champ denied Break My Soul following a photo-finish in the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle.

The 10-1 shot scored by a nose under Freddie Gordon, who dropped his whip, to provide his father with his first winner over jumps since May.

"It's been a long time since I've been interviewed," said the trainer. "He's a small horse carrying top weight so it was a great performance. I've been waiting for a winner since May. The horses have been running well for a while but we've had a frustrating time. The luck hasn't been with us."

Nicky Henderson, trainer of the runner-up, had better luck in the 2m3f novice chase when Bhaloo beat the Ben Pauling-trained favourite Bad.

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