VC Chase Result: Somersby lands Ascot Grade 1

News / Timeform / 22 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Somersby won the VC Chase at Ascot.

"We've had him since he was three and he very rarely lets us down - he deserves that win so much..."

Somersby (BSP of [5.8]) finally gained the big victory his consistent efforts deserved when wearing down Finian's Rainbow in the 25th Anniversary of the VC Chase at Ascot...

Narrowly denied in the race 12 months ago, Henrietta Knight's stable star again looked booked for the runner-up spot when Finian's Rainbow jumped clear at the last fence.

However, the first-time cheek pieces appeared to work their magic for Somersby as Dominic Elsworth's mount found plenty for pressure to win by a length and a quarter.

The novice Al Ferof was a creditable third.

Elsworth said: "I'm delighted for the horse.

"He's been a bit of a bridesmaid, but he's done it nicely.

"I always knew he was going to stay on towards the end."

Barry Geraghty looked confident entering the straight and had yet to ask Finian's Rainbow a serious question.

But Somersby showed a tenacity perhaps not previously witnessed to provide Knight with a route back into the big time - and Elsworth with his first Grade 1 success.

Knight, whose husband, Terry Biddlecombe, is recovering from a stroke, added: "He ran such a good race in it last year.

"He loves this place and I thought it was worth another go.

"I think the cheek pieces sharpened him up, his jumping was very slick today.

"I think it was just one of those days when everything went right.

"It's a wonderful feeling as I've got Terry with me here today, too."

Knight added: "We've had him since he was three and he very rarely lets us down - he deserves that win so much.

"That (Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival) is probably the target, but he's also entered in the Queen Mother."

Elsworth added: "Everything went in my favour. They did quicken away from me a bit going to the second last, but I knew he would stay.

"He jumped extremely well. Days like this make it all worthwhile when you are getting up at the crack of dawn every morning."

Owner Michael Buckley said of runner-up Finian's Rainbow: "It was a very good effort, but I just think he's looking, and working, more like a staying horse.

"If he does run in the Champion Chase it will be the last time he runs over two miles."

Nicholls said of Al Ferof: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"Ruby Walsh came back and said, 'You can't buy that experience'.

"It should have put him right for Cheltenham, where he'll definitely run in the Arkle."

Looking towards Cheltenham, Somersby is available at [11.5] for the Ryanair and [18.0] for the Champion Chase.

Finian's Rainbow can be backed at [7.4] for the Champion Chase, whilst Al Ferof is currently trading as the [7.2] third favourite for the Arkle.