'He's one to look forward to' - big-race hopes for Range after first win over fences

Sam Thomas's perfect across-the-card double was sealed by a potentially smart chaser in Range, who made all to win the feature 2m3½f handicap chase.

The seven-year-old fell on his chasing debut at the course last month but made no mistake this time round as he powered home by six lengths to win under Sam Twiston-Davies.

The success capped off a stellar day for Thomas, whose Celtic Dino had made it two from two over hurdles 45 minutes prior at Ascot.

"He's still quite novicey but it was great to see him jump nicely and win," Thomas said. "He fell last time but almost needed to make a mistake at some point, to learn to respect the fences as he was quite blaze over them sometimes.

"Sam said the ground had probably dried out more than we would have liked, so it's good he won despite wanting softer going. He's just got to learn to settle more but we always thought he might end up being a sort of Welsh National horse. He's one to look forward to."

Promising start

The Bluesman made an encouraging hurdling debut for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden in the 2m3½f maiden contest.

The five-year-old was running for the first time since a wide-margin bumper win at the course in April, and despite some untidy jumps outclassed his rivals to win by a length and a half. Sinnatra justified 5-4 favouritism for the same Neil and Alfie Smith ownership in the bumper to complete doubles for Nicholls and Cobden.

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