Skip to main content

Fugitif fights his way home to make Hobson happy at Cheltenham

  • Run of seconds at Cheltenham ends for trainer
  • ‘He’s a brilliant horse to ride,’ says Gavin Sheehan

For all but the final half-second of the December Gold Cup on Saturday, it seemed Richard Hobson’s long litany of frustrations at the home of jumping would extend into the new year. He arrived with a 0-43 record at Cheltenham that included four runners-up from his past five starters and 11 second-place finishes in all – but left as the happiest trainer in Gloucestershire thanks to Fugitif’s last-gasp success in the day’s feature race.

Even Gavin Sheehan, Fugitif’s jockey, thought he was booked for second at best as they came down the hill still well adrift of a strong pace, which had been set from the off by Frero Banbou and Il Ridoto. Mid-race, it was hard to believe either horse would last home, but while Frero Banbou gave way in the straight it was clear as Il Ridoto jumped the last that Bryony Frost, his rider, had judged the fractions almost to perfection.

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/ylpBV9v

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Details of F.B.I.’s Kavanaugh Inquiry Show Its Restricted Range

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR, SHERYL GAY STOLBERG, MAGGIE HABERMAN and MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT from NYT U.S. https://ift.tt/2QhwZyw

Sky apologise for Scott Williams’ remark after darts win over German opponent

English player references ‘two world wars and one World Cup’ Williams beat Germany’s Martin Schindler 4-3 in third round Scott Williams has sparked controversy at the PDC world darts championship by referring to “two world wars and one World Cup” after his third-round victory over Germany’s Martin Schindler. Williams won a thrilling encounter by four sets to three as the tournament resumed at London’s Alexandra Palace after its Christmas break. The qualifier fought back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to win the deciding set amid a raucous atmosphere – but it was his post-match interview that caught wider attention. Continue reading... from The Guardian https://ift.tt/e2cVvgH