Huntingdon Sunday review: At the Dibble

Music agent Emma Banks took time out of her schedule to join with family and celebrate a first victory over hurdles for smart Flat performer Arqoob, who provided triumphant trainer Lucy Wadham with a winner on her 65th birthday at Huntingdon on Sunday.

The Group One-winning owner, who is representative to chart topping acts including Katy Perry and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, watched on with her parents Richard and Sue Banks after the five year old claimed the Join Racing TV Now Novices’ Hurdle.

Showing a tenacious attitude under Bryony Frost the 4/9 Favourite, who runs in the colours of Banks’ father’s Little Staughton Farms Ltd, rallied well up the run in to defeat Ace Rothstein by a neck much to the delight of her triumphant connections.

Emma Banks said: “He is mum and dad’s horse but a lot of the family are here today including a cousin and auntie of mine.

“I thought he was going to win. Bryony was very confident, which was the most important thing.

“His jumping was a lot better today as his jumping cost him the race before (at Newbury).”

Having picked up a £25,000 bonus after winning a points-based series in Bahrain last year a return to the Flat could beckon at some point for the gelded son of Estidhkaar according to Newmarket handler Wadham.

She said: “I thought Bryony gave him a super ride. He is obviously very talented but the other horse (Ace Rothstein) is not a bad Flat horse.

“It was a very good first run (over hurdles) but his jumping was a bit awry at Newbury but he has done lots of schooling since.

“He might go back on the Flat but we will see what the handicapper does. It is nice to get a birthday winner.”

Tom Lacey admitted it was ‘nice to see a plan come off’ after Dibble Decker (9/4 Favourite) enhanced his reputation as a course specialist when maintaining his unbeaten record at the track in the John Bigg “Oxo” Handicap Chase to set up a potential trip to Aintree next month.

Having landed the two and a half mile prize 12 months ago with Nocte Volatus the Woolhope handler saw the prize head his way again thanks to the seven year old, who did just enough to prevail by a nose from Dom Of Mary.

Following the race, which was a third win from as many starts at the track for Dibble Decker, connections were presented with the trophy by Odette Claydon, daughter of Oxo’s trainer Willie Stephenson.

Lacey said: “He has to be very patiently ridden going right-handed. We run around Chepstow earlier in the season thinking we didn’t want to be a one trick pony but going right handed on a flat track is what seems to suit him.

“I was standing on the line and I thought live he had got it but seeing the replay I questioned myself and everyone around me questioned me and it gave me doubts.

“This is a race we targeted from the last day and it is nice when a plan comes off. The cheekpieces make a big difference as he is now going through his races better.

“We are probably going to have to go up in trip with him. He might get into the race that Thomas Patrick won on Grand National day a few years back.”

Le Tueur made it third time lucky since joining Sarah Humphrey when running out an emphatic winner of the Keith Sherwood “Oi Oi Gentle” Memorial Handicap Chase.

After finishing second on his two previous starts for the West Wratting handler the Flemensfirth gelding went one better with a 20-length victory under Tom Cannon in the extended two mils seven furlong contest

Humphrey said of the successful 15/2 chance, who runs in the colours of Yen Hall Farm Racing, “He is a huge great big galloping staying chaser. He jumped well and liked the ground.

“He has only had the two starts for us as the ground was too firm when we got him and we have just had to be patient with him.

“There are 20 shares in the racing club and they have three horses. They have won so much money this season they are actually going to make a profit!”

Helping to bolster the healthy crowd at the Cambridgeshire track was the coach load of 60 made up of friends and family which made their way to the course to commemorate the life of former racegoer Sherwood, who passed away aged 64 in October.

Karen Arnold, sister, said: “We sadly lost Keith on October 1st. He loved his horses and he only had three more courses to complete going to every track in Britain. They were Exeter, Newton Abbot and Taunton and we will be going to those in his honour.

“This was pretty much his closest track and he was a frequent visitor. He was a gentle giant that was his personality.

“Everyone here has been wonderful today and before we came racing today we unveiled a plaque this morning in his local The Hollybush.

“It was Steve (Langbridge), who is one of his best friends along with Andre (Cranshaw), that came up with the idea at his wake.

“He thought it was appropriate because of his love of racing. He would have loved this today.”

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