3 minute read

Ellison runner fends off favourite Verdana Blue.

Mrs Hyde  proved too strong for Grade One-winning mare Verdana Blue in the bet365 Mares' Hurdle at Wetherby.

Nicky Henderson's 2018 Christmas Hurdle heroine was the 5-6 favourite to get back on the winning trail, having filled the runner-up spot behind Silver Streak in a Listed event at Kempton a fortnight ago.

Verdana Blue  had upwards of 22lb in hand over her six rivals in West Yorkshire on official ratings, but came up short in the rain-softened ground.

The Brian Ellison-trained Mrs Hyde had won on the same Kempton card a couple of weeks ago and was a 6-1 shot to double her Listed tally in the hands of Daryl Jacob.

Verdana Blue loomed up ominously in the home straight, but Mrs Hyde refused to bend on the run-in and saw her off by a neck.

"She's never stopped improving," said Ellison.

"When she won at Southwell and Perth during the summer, she made the running, but after she got beat at Market Rasen we decided we'd drop her in and give her a chance. It worked at Kempton and it's worked again today.

"Daryl said he got to the front a bit early today. The plan was to sit until the last and try to pick the favourite off.

"She's won on soft ground today and won on good to firm. She's tough."

Considering future plans, the trainer added: "She's won four of her last five races now and we might just give her a break.

"I know she's won twice left-handed now, but I do think she's better right-handed, so we could go back to Kempton or somewhere like that."

Sean Bowen delivered Irish raider Hear No Evil with a well-timed challenge to claim the Price Promise At bet365 Handicap Chase.

The 16-1 shot was settled at the rear of the field for much of the three-mile contest, but came home strongly to score by nine and a half lengths from Grange Ranger.

It was a welcome boost for trainer Noel Kelly, who had to withdraw stable star Decor Irlandais from the Grade Two bet365 Hurdle later in the afternoon.

He said: "Decor Irlandais is here, but he pulled off a shoe. It's a bit frustrating, but at least he didn't break a tendon or something. It's only a pulled shoe and it's not the end of the world.

"We bought this horse (Hear No Evil) out of Dan Skelton's yard. We said to Sean 'take your time and if they go too fast, he'll keeping plugging on'. He gave him a brilliant ride, I thought."

Skelton's Ashtown Lad displayed courage and class in equal measure to win a bet365 Novices' Hurdle run in atrocious conditions.

Narrowly beaten over the course and distance on his previous outing, the 11-10 favourite was sent straight to the lead by Harry Skelton and jumped slickly and travelled strongly, despite the driving rain, on his way to a near three-length verdict.

A sodden Dan Skelton said: "He's a very nice horse and he has a good attitude, obviously, to go from the front in that weather.

"He's a chaser really and I always felt like this was a good horse.

"I'm not sure what we'll do now. I'll talk to Darren (Yates, owner) and decide."

Tom George and Johnny Burke combined to claim the bet365 Handicap Chase with 9-1 shot Minella For Me.

Carrying the colours of owner Simon Clarke, whose popular grey Nacarat won the Charlie Hall Chase on this card a decade ago, Minella For Me passed the post with five and a half lengths in hand over 100-30 favourite Guy.

Burke said: "He's a very honest horse. He used to be quite keen, but he's grown up a lot and is settling well and jumping well.

"He's a good, fun horse for his owner Simon, who has been a great supporter of Tom."

Burke went on to complete a double aboard Jonjo O'Neill's 4-1 favourite Arrivederci in the concluding bet365 Handicap Hurdle.

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