Ascot option for Wetherby winner First Flow

The durable eight-year-old landed Wetherby’s Castleford Chase in typically game fashion on Sunday, never looking likely to win until close home on bottomless ground under a mud-splattered David Bass.

That was a fifth win in a row, taking his record over fences to six successes from 10 starts and therefore fully deserving a step up in class.

“Bizarrely there are actually quite a few races suitable for him between now and the end of February,” said Bailey.

“There’s a handicap at Sandown, the Grade One at Ascot and there’s races at Newbury and Doncaster also – so there are three or four to consider.

“He loves heavy ground. But Wetherby was an extraordinary performance really – I doubt the ground has ever been as bad there, because David Bass said it made Ffos Las look quite good!”

First Flow looked in trouble at various stages in the slow motion finish, but got the job done again in the end.

Bailey added: “It wasn’t great to watch, but it was a phenomenal performance – especially when you consider he was playing catch-up because the leader (Maracudja) got such a flying start. I thought that had been outlawed – if he’d won I might have complained!

“That’s five in a row he’s won, and he’s a complete freak. I’m so pleased for his owner Tony Solomons, because he’s been with me since my second season training, and the last horse he had with me was Harry Topper. He’s loving it.”

First Flow is one of 12 entries for the Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Chase, with last year’s victor Defi Du Seuil in the mix to defend his title after pulling up on his seasonal return at Cheltenham in November.

Reigning champion chaser Politologue is one of two contenders for Paul Nicholls along with Duc Des Genievres.

Meanwhile, Malton trainer Ruth Jefferson is in no hurry to make plans for Waiting Patiently after his excellent run in defeat in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

He was ridden out for the first time on Tuesday since the Boxing Day showpiece which saw him stay on strongly to take second behind Frodon after being ridden with restraint by champion jockey Brian Hughes.

Jefferson said: “Cheltenham entries are next week, so I’ll see if his owner wants to put him in anything. We’ll see how he is and take it from there.

“I’m not sure he has a best trip. He nearly won a Tingle Creek, he’s won an Ascot Chase and nearly won a King George. I’m not worried about trip. As long as he stays sound, we can pick and choose his races.”

If Waiting Patiently’s owner Richard Collins favours a speculative Gold Cup entry, it will see Waiting Patiently face the likes of Al Boum Photo who has won the last two renewals of the blue riband race.

Raced sparingly, Al Boum Photo will face four rivals as he bids to win tomorrow’s Savills New Year’s Day Chase for the third year running at Tramore.

Willie Mullins’s star steeplechaser has taken this Grade Three prize over two miles five and a half furlongs on his way to Cheltenham glory for the past two seasons.

He has not been in action since retaining his crown in March, and victorious jockey Paul Townend is looking forward to getting back on board his Gold Cup hero. “I suppose it’s tried and tested now, so why change it? At that time of year you’re guaranteed a bit of safe ground down there,” he said.

“It’s worked the last two years, and we’d be hoping it works a third time. If it’s working, why change it? He was pulled out of Leopardstown (two seasons ago) because of the ground and he went down to Tramore, and it suited.

“The race was there, and he got his ground. It was fine and it suited me he went to the Gold Cup under the radar. Please God it will come off again.”

Meanwhile, Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day meeting has been abandoned due to waterlogging.

And the decision to place North Yorkshire under Tier 3 Covid restrictions means Catterick’s meeting on Sunday will have to be staged behind closed doors.

Ticket holders will be refunded by the course which had been able to welcome 800 racegoers on Tuesday.

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