Egbert lands gutsy Tommy Whittle success to put Gavin Sheehan in Christmas spirit again
All of Gavin Sheehan's Christmas wishes came true a year ago and he will return to Kempton on Boxing Day in top form after winning the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase for a second time.
Sheehan, victorious in last season's King George VI Chase on Hewick, did not hold out much hope for his mount Egbert on heavy going, but the 16-1 shot surprised his jockey – and those who backed runner-up Jacks Parrot to a low of 1.11 in running – with a gutsy success.
"I couldn't have him on the ground, but he kept plugging on in there," said Sheehan. "He got a new lease of life turning in and really came alive for me. He was brave at the last and the longer we went, the better he went. He's got all the ability."
Egbert, trained by Alan King for owners James and Jean Potter, handed the jockey another victory in the £50,000 contest, nine years after he won it on Seventh Sky.
Sheehan followed up victory in the feature race with a well-judged front-running ride on Milldam in the 1m7½f handicap hurdle for trainer Jamie Snowden
It was the ideal prep for Thursday's Ladbrokes King George VI Chase for Sheehan, who is booked to partner The Real Whacker after the Charlie Hall winner was supplemented for the race by trainer Patrick Neville on Friday.
"He ran in it last year [finished fourth] but Paddy's horses are flying," Sheehan added. "There are some classy horses coming in and he's got to improve from the Charlie Hall, but Kempton is the type of track that should suit him. He's back to his peak and I'm really looking forward to it."
Queen rules for De Boinville
Nico de Boinville signed off for Christmas with a winner on his sole ride when Holloway Queen showed her class in the Listed mares' novice hurdle.
De Boinville, like the whole of racing, will be hoping his next racecourse visit will involve riding Constitution Hill at Kempton on Boxing Day and he warmed up for that potential Christmas Hurdle date with a smooth success on the Nicky Henderson-trained 4-5 favourite.
Holloway Queen, who was bought for £180,000 at the Grand National sale at Aintree in April, got in tight to the third-last but recovered well to saunter clear by 15 lengths.
De Boinville said: "She's a lovely mare, she just seems to quicken up and she loves that heavy ground. She's very genuine as well and it's onwards and upwards."
Holloway Queen was given a first quote of 25-1 for the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March by Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power.
Richards team rolls on
Trainer Nicky Richards might be out of action with injuries suffered in a gallops fall, but the hot form of his stable continued apace with a 63-1 double. Gege Ville took the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle and Sunnyvilla landed the 2m½f handicap chase.
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