Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Sam Thomas registered a first Cheltenham success as a trainer when Good Risk At All landed the Listed High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire Bumper.

 

Sporting the famous colours of Dai Walters, the 13/2 chance headed Conceroe turning in and stayed gamely under Sam Twiston-Davies to score by a length and a half. Grandeur d'Ame came out on top in a bunch finish for second.

 

Sam Thomas said: “I am absolutely thrilled. The yard is going well at the moment and the horses are flying. It is fantastic, and just a shame everyone is not here to appreciate it. It is testament to the hard work everyone is doing at home, and it is something you can only dream of, really, coming here, especially to win a Listed bumper like that.

 

“He is a horse we thought a lot of from the start. He has not always been straightforward; he is a keen horse at home, and all credit to Matt [Cosham, head lad] who rides him every day and who led him up here. Big thank you to him. I am very lucky and we have got some lovely horses to look forward to for the rest of the season. Hopefully, there are more days to come with him.

 

“I nearly didn't run him, purely because I feel he has such a turn of foot and lots of speed, but I am delighted we left him in. Sam [Twiston-Davies] said he will be a better horse on better ground, which I kind of thought anyway,  but we got away with it today and he showed that although he is four and still a bit weak, he is clearly going the right way.

 

“I think he will stay in bumpers this season; he is still immature and has a lot to learn. He schools amazingly already, jumps hurdles very well, but with a fantastic pedigree, what a start to come here and win a bumper.”

 

Sam Twiston-Davies said: “Good Risk At All showed a great attitude to win. He looks like a nice prospect and it is great to get a winner in the final race of the meeting.

 

“He settled well and relaxed into it nicely. We were a little bit worried about the ground before, but it just showed how straightforward he is and hopefully he has a good future ahead of him.”

 

4.05pm High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed) 2m 87y

1 Good Risk At All – Sam Thomas 4-11-00 Sam Twiston-Davies 13/2

2 Grandeur d'Ame – Oliver Sherwood 4-11-00 Gavin Sheehan 10/3

3 Weseekhimhere – Gordon Elliott IRE 4-11-00 Robbie Power 10/11F

7 runners

Distances: 1½, sh

Tote Win: £7.40 Places: £2.70 £1.80 Exacta: £27.40 Trifecta: £67.90

 

Sunday’s stewards’ reports

 

1:15pm mallardjewellers.com NOVICES' CHASE

Permission was given for THE BUTCHER SAID (IRE) to go early to post. Following the race, the representative of Paul Nicholls reported that SOLDIER OF LOVE, which started second-favourite and was pulled up before the last fence, was unsuited by the going, which was officially described as Soft on this occasion and would prefer a faster surface. The Veterinary Officer reported that DOC PENFRO, placed second, lost its left-fore shoe.

 

1:50pm PLANTEUR AT CHAPEL STUD HANDICAP CHASE

RAMSES DE TEILLEE (FR) wore earplugs throughout the race.Following the race, Robbie Power reported that DISCORAMA (FR), which started favourite and finished fifth, ran too free.

 

2:25pm SHLOER CHASE

Permission was given for DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) to wear a red hood in the Parade Ring only. The performance of DEFI DU SEUIL (FR), which started favourite and was pulled up before the final fence, was considered. It was noted that Philip Hobbs could offer no explanation for the gelding’s performance other than a report from Richard Johnson that DEFI DU SEUIL (FR) stopped quickly on this occasion; the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

3:00pm UNIBET GREATWOOD HANDICAP HURDLE

Permission was given for TEGEREK (FR) to wear a red hood to the start. Following the race, Harry Skelton reported that PROSCHEMA (IRE), which started second-favourite and was pulled up, was never travelling and the Veterinary Officer reported that the gelding lost its right-hind shoe. Nico de Boinville reported that COUNTISTER (FR), which was pulled up, was never travelling and the representative of Nicky Henderson reported that the mare was unsuited by the going, which was officially described as Soft, Heavy in Places on this occasion and would prefer a faster surface. The Veterinary Officer reported that CORMIER (IRE), unplaced, lost its right-fore shoe.

 

3:35pm SKY BET SUPREME TRIAL NOVICES' HURDLE

The winner FOR PLEASURE (IRE) appeared to show improved form compared with its previous run at Kempton on 18 October 2020 where the gelding finished fourth of five, beaten by 31 ¾ lengths on Good ground. Alex Hales’ explanation that FOR PLEASURE (IRE) appeared to benefit from a left handed track and appreciated the Soft ground on this occasion, was noted. Following the race, Paddy Brennan reported that COURTANDBOULD (IRE), which started joint second-favourite and finished fifth, was never travelling and Fergal O’Brien reported that the gelding was unsuited by the going, which was officially described as Soft, Heavy in Places on this occasion and would prefer a faster surface.

 

4:05pm HIGH SHERIFF OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE

Permission was given for CONCEROE (IRE) to wear a red hood to the start. Following the race, Tom Bellamy reported that LET IT LOOSE (IRE), unplaced, ran green.