3 minute read
Somersby grimly held on from Module in a thrilling finish to Exeter's BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup in which last year's winner Cue Card was third.
Sent off a well-backed 9-2 chance (from 7-1), Somersby travelled supremely well for Dominic Elsworth and was in front at the third-last.
The weight began to tell on Cue Card by that stage, but Module was a persistent threat in the straight, for which he deserves great credit after an early mistake.
William's Wishes was pushed into the lead going down the back but was one of the first beaten. Once in front Somersby possibly thought he had completed the job two out and Module jumped level, but another big leap at the last sealed the race for Mick Channon's nine-year-old.
Tom George's Module tried to come back at him but the line came just too soon and he went down by a head.
Somersby was given a quote of 12-1 for the Ryanair by Paddy Power.
Channon, who took over a number of horses from Henrietta Knight when his near-neighbour officially retired and is assisted by the former Gold Cup-winning trainer, said: "Hen's done a brilliant job and we have been using some of our Flat ground to get the jumpers fit. A lot of work goes into it, and Hen really gets them jumping.
"I imagine we will take it one step at a time, with the Amlin Chase (Ascot, November 23) the next port of call."
Knight said: "Last season was a bit of waste of time because he had all these splints which laid him low. So we forgot about that and Mick has been delighted with his progress this season.
"We will go to Ascot for the Amlin Chase. It's not long until that, but it is an obvious race to go for as he has shown a liking for the course with his win in the Victor Chandler."
Referring to an incident turning for home when Paddy Brennan on Module appeared to cut across him, rider Dominic Elsworth said: "My horse wasn't able to quite go with him (Module) at that point but he then got rolling and when I switched him, he responded well.
"He was a little bit fresh for this comeback but I know that everyone has been very pleased with him at home."
George said of Module: "What happened down the back completely spoiled it for him and in the circumstances he has run a cracker. I am delighted with him."
Colin Tizzard, meanwhile, is set to step Cue Card up in trip to three miles, saying: "I can't put needing the run up as an excuse, because his record tells you he is lethal fresh. The funny thing is he was nearly flat out most of the way and he is not blowing.
"Last season he proved he stayed further at Ascot (Ascot Chase) and definitely stayed in the Ryanair, so my feeling is to go up in trip again. Joe (Tizzard) said he rides like a three-miler, so we will head to Haydock for the Betfair Chase."
