Timeform Weekend Review: 'The Champ' steals the show... again

Weekend Review / Timeform / 27 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform reflect on a weekend of racing which saw the curtain come down on the jumps season...

The highlight of this weekend's racing was surely Sandown's mixed card on Sunday.

It brought down the curtains on this year's jumps season, and it was 'The Champ' Tony McCoy who stole the show yet again. He was aboard Hennessy in the feature Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase, and produced a typical 'never say die' to get up right on the line to deny Briery Fox.

Twist Magic confirmed his liking for Sandown when easily winning the Celebration Chase; the Paul Nicholls' gelding jumped well throughout to beat the gallant Kalahari King. The flat side was equally as exciting with Tartan Bearer's victory over Pipedreamer being the standout race. Sir Michael Stoute's Derby second looks certain to be a major player in the top races this year whilst

Paco Boy put his Dubai disappointment behind him with a ready success in the Bet365 Mile. He saw the one-mile trip out well and is sure to be a force this year, although it still remains probable that seven-furlongs will be his optimum distance.

Sunday's racing at Navan saw triple Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats make his seasonal reappearance in the Vintage Crop Stakes, a race he had won twice in the past. He proved very disappointing however, and trailed in a distant sixth behind Alandi. The ground was surely a factor though, and it would be no surprise to see him retain his crown at Ascot. Elsewhere on the card, Jumbajukiba bounced back to form in the Navan Sprint Stakes. Trying this trip for the first time, he showed blistering speed to lead the field, and was always holding his rivals to the line.