(Pre) Christmas Crackers

Our two runners this week both returned to the respective scene of their last run/victory and whilst neither managed to win, both ran an absolute cracker of a race in defeat.

Piazon went to Southwell on Thursday to contest the 0-65 handicap. Once again ridden by Nathan Evans, he was having a rare step up to 6f on this occasion.

Despite a wide draw, Piazon was prominent throughout the race and appeared to hold every chance approaching the final furlong. Although the eventual winner then just quickened away, he stayed on really well beaten just a neck into 3rd place.

Getting him to the races and down to the start was a victory in itself as he was fairly revved when he left the yard earlier in the day, having taken great exception to an early morning bath in preparation for his away day!

Then today Copt Hill was back in action at Newcastle, scene of arguably his greatest victory just 9 days ago (!) to take in another 0-100 handicap hurdle over the same trip of 2m 1/2f. Despite being raised 8lbs by the handicapper for his win, this was undoubtedly a more competitive race.

Displaying his usual exuberance at the start, Copt Hill nevertheless jumped off smartly and was sent into the lead by his winning accomplice Ross Chapman.

Despite not jumping the first flight particularly fluently, thereafter he took the field of 12 along from the front until two out where he was headed by the eventual 3rd placed horse. As before, he showed hitherto unseen resolution and rallied to hold every chance jumping the last, running on strongly but unfortunately just beaten into second place on the run-in.

Once again it was a proud moment for all connections of this quirky little horse who, at almost 11 years old, seems to have found his racing mojo!

 

End

22/12/18