Jour D'Evasion takes win at Hereford Racecourse meeting
CONSISTENT handicap hurdler Jour D'Evasion claimed a well-deserved first win of the season after winning the featured two-mile three-and-a-half-furlong handicap hurdle race at the re-arranged Hereford Racecourse meeting last week.
The Henry Daly-trained six-year-old had been run consistently well, without winning on his last two starts but partnered by Ledbury based jockey Stan Sheppard he finally got his deserved win, with a four-and-a-half-length success in the £20,000 contest, beating 10/1 shot Santos Blue in second place.
Sheppard kept things simple on the Ludlow-trained runner by electing to make the running from the off and despite a sloppy jump at the final hurdle the result was never in doubt for the 6/4 favourite.
A delighted Daly commented after the race: "He's admirably consistent, and he probably suffers from it.
"He runs his race, regular as clockwork – he's run two very nice races in defeat this year and keeps creeping up the weights, which is always frustrating.
"Luckily he got his head in front this time and it was a very nice prize, particularly considering it was an extra meeting.
“It wouldn't frighten me if there was a stiff two-mile race, or a two-mile-three on better ground, I don't think he's necessarily trip-dependent, we will factor in what races are available when he's next ready to run.”
Sole Solution, aptly named for owner Sir John Timpson of the shoe repair fame, trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by jockey Charlie Deutsch was also on the score sheet with a win in the two mile five and a half furlong novice hurdle.
Buckna had been an expensive sales purchase and was sent off a strongly supported 6/4 second favourite to recoup some of the reported £350,000 cost to his owners but he had no answer as the locally trained Sole Solution.
Another horse with potential to score again was Captain Boudet who made a chasing debut, showing great determination to land the two-mile five-furlong novice handicap chase under jockey David Noonan.
Despite being sent off a 10-1 shot in the six runner race after an uninspiring hurdling campaign Captain Boudet was at the head of affairs from the start and despite challenges from Fever Dream and eventual runner up Golden de Couer, the Jeremy Scott trained winner came home comfortable one and three-quarter length winners.
