'He reminds me of Ahoy Senor' - Lucinda Russell likens Primoz to stable star after winning chase debut

Lucinda Russell likened Primoz to the high-class Ahoy Senor after he saw off seasoned handicappers to score smoothly on his chasing debut.

The good-looking dual hurdles winner has the physique that suggests he should take to fences, and suggestion became reality as he jumped with aplomb and took the 2m handicap chase by two lengths from Pay The Piper.

"I'd said so confidently, 'He's going to be a great chaser, he's schooled well,' but they have to do it on the track so I'm delighted," said the trainer, whose El Elefante also made a successful chasing debut at Worcester less than ten minutes later.

"I think he is going to be a better chaser. I loved the way he jumped — and I believe El Elefante did the same at Worcester, so happy days!

"Pay The Piper is a real decent two-miler and Primoz was pretty good today. This horse reminds me of Ahoy Senor, the way he jumps, he's good."

Ahoy Senor himself has started his last two seasons with a disappointing effort in the Charlie Hall Chase here but will launch his 2024-25 campaign at the scene of his second in the William Hill Bowl last April.

"He's had a racecourse gallop and is going to go over two miles four at Aintree," Russell said. "It's a little short for him but he finds it hard to stay early in the season. Then he'll go for the Betfair Chase. We're doing things differently and hope he'll be a Gold Cup horse."

'I thought he might be placed'

Jagwar's encounter with experienced rivals on his chasing debut was much less smooth. His jumping was novicey through much of the feature Bobby Renton Handicap Chase and he was disputing fourth place going to the final fence.

But the even-money favourite jumped it well under Jonjo O'Neill Jr and weaved his way through the leaders on the run-in to hit the front near the finish for a half-length win.

Joint-trainer Oliver Greenall did not think victory was possible going to the last and said: "I thought he might be placed. He's not normally the best of finishers but luckily he came up out of Jonjo's hands and winged the last and he's picked up well. 

"It can happen here at Wetherby. It's slightly rising to the finish and he weaved through the horses."

Reflecting on the whole race, Greenall added: "It was frustrating to watch. He never jumped hurdles very well and he'd been jumping fences so well at home. It's been the making of him, but it's always different in a race."

Buddy marvellous

Conditional jockey Lewis Saunders, 20, can no longer claim 10lb after riding the fifth winner of his career on Bowling Buddy for his boss Olly Murphy in the 2m3f novice hurdle.

Saunders said: "It's been a long time coming. In the summer we don't really have many in at Olly's as everything runs through the winter and it's good to get there.

"I'm from Chepstow and I've been with Olly for a year. It's going well and I hope to go on to better things."

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.