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Newbury Racecourse steps into Christmas




Newbury Racecourse geared up for Christmas with a festive day of racing on Wednesday, the BetVictor Christmas Raceday.

Not only was it a chance for trainers and some of their stable stars to get another run in before Christmas, the fixture allowed racegoers – including a host of first-timers and families – to get into the festive spirit, with free mince pies and mulled wine on offer for the first 500 punters through the door.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Brave Kingdom produced another impressive performance over fences to win the day’s third race, the JM Finn Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, a month after the Brave Mansonnien gelding returned from a two year lay-off when winning at Plumpton.

Brave Kingdom (near side) came from behind to edge the pre-race favourite Theatre Man. Pictures by Steven Cargill
Brave Kingdom (near side) came from behind to edge the pre-race favourite Theatre Man. Pictures by Steven Cargill

The seven-year-old, who won two of his three starts over hurdles, battled hard under Harry Codben to finish a length-and-three-quarters clear of Pulling Stumps and put himself in Graded contention, with Nicholls suggesting he could step up in trip to three miles ahead of a Grade 2 contest at Warwick in mid-January.

Brave Kingdom won for the second time over fences, racing this time under jockey Harry Cobden
Brave Kingdom won for the second time over fences, racing this time under jockey Harry Cobden

It was also an afternoon full of Christmas cheer for trainer Harry Fry after he was able to celebrate Gidleigh Park’s convincing nine length victory in the BetVictor EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle alongside his wife Ciara, who was back by his side for the first time since being kicked by a horse in October.

Gidleigh Park’s victory capped a memorable day for Dorset-based trainer Harry Fry
Gidleigh Park’s victory capped a memorable day for Dorset-based trainer Harry Fry
Gidleigh Park and Jonathan Burke return to the winners’ enclosure
Gidleigh Park and Jonathan Burke return to the winners’ enclosure

Meanwhile, Pink Legend cemented her claims for another crack at Cheltenham Festival glory with an assured one-and-three-quarter-length triumph in the Listed Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Mares’ Chase.

Nine-year-old Pink Legend showed her class ahead of a potential Cheltenham Festival return
Nine-year-old Pink Legend showed her class ahead of a potential Cheltenham Festival return

Owner-breeder Francis Mahon admitted he considered retiring the nine-year-old after she was a spirited second in the Mares’ Chase at the world-famous Festival 18 months ago, with the seasoned campaigner going on to win four of her last six starts since trainer Venetia Williams convinced him to keep the veteran racing. And Mahon admitted another crack at the Mares’ Chase or a tilt at January’s Listed Pertemps Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase at Huntingdon were both on the table for the in-form daughter of Midnight Legend.



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