Carlisle staged the best fixture of its Jump season this afternoon, Pricedup Colin Parker Raceday, featuring two £40,000 Listed chases.

Both contests went to horses trained by Jamie Snowden, handing the Lambourn trainer a 34-1 double on the day.

It was Wendigo (4-1), the outsider of the three runners. who took the honours in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase. Ridden for the first time by Conor O'Farrell, the seven-year-old jumped well throughout in the two-and-a-half-mile contest and disputed the lead with Doyen Quest (Dan Skelton/Harry Skelton, 9-4) with the 8-11 Favourite Potters Charm (Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) detached in third. 

Turning for home, Wendigo went into a clear lead and as Doyen Quest dropped away it was Potters Charm who mounted a challenge. However, the market leader was unable to pass Wendigo, who stayed on strongly for a two and a quarter length success.

Conor O’Farrell said: “He is a very smart horse and had a lot of things against him today – he was wrong at the weights and probably wants softer ground than this ideally. Jamie also thinks he might be better going left-handed.

“I couldn’t fault him today. Jumping long or short, he was brilliant. I’ve committed him early enough, but fair play to Jamie he has his horses ready and he has hit the line really well.

“It was a big ask to give 10lb to Potters Charm but fair play to the horse. I thought I was getting a bit tired at the back of the last, but he has felt the second horse coming and stuck his neck out again.”

As to the future, the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (November 28th) is likely to be next on the agenda while longer term Wendigo could maybe attempt to follow in the footsteps of Many Clouds, who landed the 2014 Colin Parker before going on to victory at Newbury and in the Grand National at Aintree the following spring.

O’Farrell commented: “Newbury should be right up his street, and he should be spot on for it now.

“He is an exciting prospect for Aintree in the spring. I am only keeping the saddle warm for Gavin Sheehan (Wendigo’s regular jockey).

“He is a smashing horse with loads of scope, and you couldn’t have asked for more on his first run of the season.

“There are similarities with Many Clouds and Newbury and Aintree are two targets for him. Aintree should hold no fears for him if the ground was right as he can jump long and short.” 

Wendigo on his way to victory at Carlisle today

The other £40,000 Listed contest on the day, the PricedUp Boosted Prices Daily Houghton Mares' Chase over two and a half miles, saw something of an upset as Obsessedwithyou (6-1) came home in front.

Partnered for the first time by Sam Twiston-Davies, the seven-year-old raced prominently throughout with last year’s winner Paggane (1-2 Favourite). Taking a decisive advantage two from home, she ran on gamely to hold off the late challenge of Apple Away (3-1) by a length and a quarter with another length and a half back to Paggane in third.

Sam Twiston-Davies said: “These mares’ Listed races are competitive and she had a bit to find on paper, but she put up a good round of jumping. She is very honest and fair play to Jamie (Snowden) and his team.

“I said to Brian (Hughes, rider of Paggane) halfway round going down the hill are you not really going because I was only doing a half-speed. I thought from watching her videos I would be more sat behind the bridle.

“On the day she got into a good rhythm and enjoyed it. She is not the biggest, but very respondent.”

Obsessedwithyou (centre) puts in a supurb jump on her way to victory today