Favourite Ballyandy suffers shock Wetherby loss to Acdc

Acdc sprang a surprise as he saw off favourite Ballyandy to win the Bobby Renton Handicap Chase at Wetherby.
Kapgarry beats I Just Know on the opening day of the National Hunt Season at Wetherby.   Picture by Simon HulmeKapgarry beats I Just Know on the opening day of the National Hunt Season at Wetherby.   Picture by Simon Hulme
Kapgarry beats I Just Know on the opening day of the National Hunt Season at Wetherby. Picture by Simon Hulme

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Ballyandy was sent off 11-10 favourite for the extended two-mile-three-furlong feature – but having just his fourth start over fences, his jumping came under pressure and he could not find the necessary momentum to throw down a challenge.

It was left to Willie Boy to set the early pace, but he made a mistake when the pace turned up a notch and Acdc seized the initiative under Liam Quinlan with three fences to jump.

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A blunder at the penultimate obstacle let his rivals in, but Acdc winged the last to pull three lengths clear at odds of 12-1 for trainer Chris Grant.

El Terremoto riden by Daryl Jacob.El Terremoto riden by Daryl Jacob.
El Terremoto riden by Daryl Jacob.

Grant said: “We were a bit worried about the trip being on the short side for him – but we thought as he goes on the ground, we could start there and we can always step him up again.

“It was a lovely run, and he’s a grand sort of a horse.

“I don’t know what the plan will be now – I’ll have to talk to the owner. I know they’d like to end up in Scotland in April, but it’s a long time between now and then.’’

The Twiston-Davies team may have been out of luck with Ballyandy, but Kapgarry (evens favourite) ensured they did not go home empty-handed after a two-and-a-half-length win in the Sixt Rent A Car Ride Smug Novices’ Hurdle.

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Lough Derg Spirit recovered from a couple of blunders to make a successful debut over fences in the Bet At racinguk.com Novices’ Chase.

A useful performer over 
hurdles for Nicky Henderson, Lough Derg Spirit was sent off the 4-9 favourite, but his supporters suffered an early scare as he 
clattered through the fourth fence.

Monbeg Theatre (11-4 favourite) fended off Nautical Theatre by a neck in the bet365 Charlie Hall Meeting 2nd & 3rd November Handicap Hurdle, and Theflyingportrait (7-2) emerged victorious in the 100% Racing UK Profits Back To Racing Handicap Chase for Jennie Candlish and jockey Sean Quinlan.

Richard Johnson’s journey to Yorkshire paid dividends as Innocent Touch (9-4) saw off Midnight Shadow in the Watch Racing UK Anywhere Handicap Hurdle.