3 minute read
Cheltenham was "Ladies' Day" on Wednesday with two women jockeys riding winners and a woman trainer saddling another one.
While Barry Geraghty rode a double in the first two races, the big excitement came late in the afternoon when Bryony Frost rode Frodon to victory in the Gr 1 Ryanair Chase, Emma Lavelle saddled Paisley Park to win the Stayers' Hurdle Gr 1, and Lizzie Kelly rode Siruh De Lac to victory in the Gr3 Handicap Chase.
Barry Geraghty rode Defi De Seuil for Philip Hobbs to win the Golden Miller with Lostintranslation 2 1/4 lengths away in second and Mengil Khan 9/1 third. Real Steel (not the Japanese horse of the same name who won the Dubai Sheema a few years ago) was not in the frame and Voix du Reve tipped Ruby Walsh onto the turf although Walsh was able to return for his other rides.
In the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle Gr 3 there were 24 runners but Geraghty steered the avourite Sire Du Berlais safely home for Gordon Elliott. The rest of the placegetters made for some juicy exotics with Tobefair 40/1 second, Not Many Left 16/1 third and Cuneo 12/1 fourth.
The Ryanair Chase was a great result for Paul NIcholls and Bryony Frost who rode the excellent jumper Frodon positively from the start and she joked after the race that Frodon pulled her along at one stage and told her not to give up! Aso was second on 33/1, Road to Respect third and Monalee fourth.
The Stayers Hurdle saw Aidan Coleman produce a winning ride on favourite Paisley Park, with the horse getting his fifth consecutive win. It was a great story for the blind owner Andrew Gemmell who cannot see his horse in action, only listen, and trainer Emma Lavelle who has managed the horse's program so efficiently. Sam Spinner 33/1 was second, Faugheen third and Bapaume fourth.
The Lizzie Kelly put in a great ride on Siruh De Lac for trainer Nick Williams to defeat the favourite Janika with Spiritofgame third. River Wylde was pulled up.
There were major upsets in the Mares Novices' Hurdle when Eglantine Du Seuil won at 50/1 with Concertista 66/1 second, Tintangle 40/1 third and Black Tears fourth at 25/1. Anyone with that pick 4 would be shouting the bar!
