Run Ructions Run rides off with plaudits at Wetherby

Matrow's Lady ridden by Martin McIntyre jumps the last to win the David How Much Lever Conditional Jockey's Trainiing Series Handicap Steeple Chase during Autumn Raceday at Fontwell Racecourse, Arundel.

Tim Easterby’s mare ran several good races over hurdles last season, most notably when second at the Betfair Chase meeting at Haydock, and scored at Listed level the season before.

She never quite hit the heights expected of her after that but in making a winning seasonal return in the Last Day Racing UK Free Trial Beginners’ Chase, the 11-4 chance could take quite high rank in her new discipline.

Kaki De La Pree, beaten a length, adds substance to the form having been placed in graded company last season.

Run Ructions Run quickened up as best she could in the heavy ground, providing North Yorkshire-based Brian Hughes with his eighth winner in six days.

Peter Easterby, the trainer’s father, said: “Brian had to hold on to her for as long as he could, as she can be quite tricky and think she’s done enough once she hits the front.

“I don’t think she wants the ground as bad as that, so she’s done well to win. She’s really filled out and strengthened up over the summer.”

Charlie Longsdon says Kilcooley, the runaway winner of Wetherby’s bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle last month, will miss Saturday’s Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in faovur of Ascot’s three-mile test on December 19.

He said: “The race at Newbury may have come too soon for him... it was said they all had tough races at Wetherby but that form has been franked since by Rock On Ruby and Grumeti.”

Goonyella is set to have another crack at the Betfred Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday week following his encouraging return to action at Cork.

The Jim Dreaper-trained eight-year-old will bid to make amends for his brief appearance in the race last season when unseating Jonathan Burke at the first. However, Goonyella showed his true colours when winning the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March.

David Pipe expects the flat nature of the track at Newbury to suit Un Temps Pour Tout in the bet365 Novices’ Chase on day one of the prestigious Hennessy meeting.

The French Champion Hurdle hero features among a high-quality field of seven set to take their chance in the extended two-mile-seven-furlong Grade Two prize. Although the six-year-old suffered a surprise reverse on his chasing bow at Cheltenham, Pipe has been pleased with his work at home since. He said: “Tom Scudamore came to ride him in the week and he jumped nicely. We could do with the ground being softer, but we want to get more experience into him.”