'I was able to dictate' - Eclair Surf routs Classic Chase field for Bellamy

Saturday: Warwick

Uncompromising is the word to describe the front-running display from Eclair Surf as he relished the tacky Warwick turf to lead his rivals a merry dance in the Agetur UK-sponsored Classic Chase.

On his first try over further than three miles, Eclair Surf was in the front rank early, led again after the sixth and kept up a relentless gallop to provide Tom Bellamy with a notable big-race success in his first season as stable jockey to Emma Lavelle.

A crack at the Welsh National was the original plan for Eclair Surf but he would have been out of the weights, so connections turned their attention to a handicap chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day – only for him to be lame on the first morning of 2022.

That meant the Classic Chase was next on the agenda and maybe it was written in the stars as the eight-year-old kept finding for a 13-length success over favourite Gericault Roque. Chirico Vallis and Corach Rambler filled the first four.

Lavelle, who landed the race with Shotgun Paddy in 2014, said: “I knew Tom wanted to get a good start and get into a good rhythm, but the horse was just so fresh and well that he was tanking along.

"None of us expected him to be quite as clear at that point but he got a chance to fill him up and then finish, so it was brilliant. It’s a special race and not easy to win.

“He does things his way and that’s him. Tom rides him expecting the unexpected and I’m so touched they’ve got such a great partnership. Tom is a massive team player, which is great for us and for the rest of the gang at home.”

The Grand National could be a future aim for Eclair Surf but it is unlikely to be this season, with the Scottish equivalent potentially more likely.

Lavelle said: “He’s not straightforward and does all his work on his own. He tends to be keen and Barry [Fenton, husband] has done an amazing job to get him here in the shape he has.

“What was exciting was he can go that gallop and stay, so staying trips are definitely up his street. I’m not convinced at this point he’s a National horse. He might well be down the line, but he couldn’t afford to make one of those errors and get away with it at Aintree.

“I’m not ruling it out completely but I’d say it’s one for down the line. We could look at the Scottish National as we might get softer ground this time around.”

Eclair Surf soars over the second-last fence under Tom BellamyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Eclair Surf’s penchant for a blunder per race was evidenced at the 14th fence, but it stopped him only momentarily. Bellamy then enjoyed the rest of the ride, gaining a second Graded handicap win for Lavelle having won the Silver Trophy on Manofthemountain at Cheltenham in April before becoming a permanent fixture at the Wiltshire yard.

Bellamy said: “It’s a massive victory as it’s my first big winner since joining Emma – it’s been a great, fresh link-up, so this means a lot.

“Eclair Surf has always threatened to do it and it panned out perfectly. Sometimes you line up prominently and end up seventh, and other times you land in front and that’s the way it panned out. We got a few lengths on them and I was able to dictate the race from then on.

“I’m really enjoying riding for Emma and Barry. Barry is brilliant with the riding side and has helped me a lot and Emma is very straightforward to deal with. It obviously helps riding nice horses too.”

For Tim Syder, joint-owner with Newbury chairman Dominic Burke, Eclair Surf completed a trio of big handicap wins in the last year, following on from Clondaw Castle landing the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton last February and Saint Palais scooping the Mandarin at Newbury last month.

Syder said: “It’s a great race we’ve always wanted to win as it’s a proper handicap chase, so we’re thrilled. We weren’t expecting him to go off so fast, so it was exciting to watch. We were half waiting for him to blow up really!"

Read more from Saturday's action:

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Cheltenham targets for 'proper horse' Cobblers Dream after Lanzarote heroics

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