Fingal Bay continued his unbeaten ascent to the top of the Novice Hurdle division with a win in the Grade 1 Bathwick Tyres Challow Novices Hurdle on Saturday 31st December at Newbury Racecourse.
Sent off odds-on favourite, the Philip Hobbs trained son of King’s Theatre, travelled strongly throughout before Richard Johnson asked him to quicken in the home straight. It wasn’t plain sailing though with the winner idling in front and allowing the Tim Vaughan trained Ballyrock to press him to the finish. However, as shown on his previous start, Fingal Bay has determination in spades and ran on to gamely win his first Grade 1 contest.
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There was also a high quality affair in the Betfred Goals Galore Novices’ Chase which saw Cue Card make all to claim an impressive victory for father-son partnership, Colin and Joe Tizzard. Under a positive ride, Cue Card set an honest pace throughout before kicking for home with around a mile to go. His competitors compromised their chances with untidy jumping, Minella Class unseating his rider, whilst Walkon and For Non Stop each made blunders in the approach to the finish. The latter staged a minor rally in the final stages but Cue Card proved too good and won comfortably.
Away from the track racegoers had plenty to enjoy with a Victorian Carousel ride, Newbury Racecourse’s Inside Track programme which takes racegoers on free tours of the course and a fireworks display after racing.
Newbury Racecourse’s Managing Director of Racing & Events, Stephen Higgins said: ‘We have had a very positive day with a crowd of 10,000 people enjoying some great racing and a spectacular fireworks display to round off the year. We would like to thank our racegoers for their support over the last 12 months and we look forward to welcoming them again in 2012’.
