CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL NEWS: Snowden and Keswick combine for another Festival success with You Wear It Well
Thursday 16th March
Nine years after teaming up with Present View in the novices’ handicap chase, owner Sir Chips Keswick and trainer Jamie Snowden were back in the winner’s enclosure courtesy of You Wear It Well in the Grade Two Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Winning trainer Jamie Snowden said: “It’s Cheltenham, isn’t it? It’s wonderful. We had a winner here very early in our career in these colours, and you forget how hard it is to win here. It’s the pinnacle of the pinnacle. She’s a very smart mare, and to do that with a penalty as well - it’s a Grade Two and she carried a penalty in that, so it’s wonderful.
“She’s a proper jumper, a lovely mare and I’m just delighted for Chips [Keswick]. He and Sarah have been such a large part of it.
“Gavin has given her a wonderful ride. She’s a proper stayer at that trip. She’s jumped out, the rain has helped her. She jumped great. I’m just so delighted that Chips is here. He wasn’t here when Present View won - Arsenal were playing Bayern Munich in Germany - so it is great he’s here this time.
“Obviously Chips loves his chasing and she jumps great. But we’ve followed the Love Envoy route so far; Honeysuckle is obviously retiring… She will jump a fence in time, but we’ll enjoy today and work out tomorrow, tomorrow.”
Gavin Sheehan, the triumphant jockey, said: “I love her. She winged the first and she actually tanked for the first furlong and a half and then I thought something else was going to come with me. The plan was go forward, and I was kind of hoping something else would go forward, as she did prick her ears the last time I rode her, but it was just poetry in motion. That was a long race from the winning line turning in and I was like something is going to do me but she was brilliant. It is massive for the team. She is brilliant and is just a diamond. Katie who rides here out at home has I promise you done a brilliant job as she is not easy at home. Schooling her is a bit of a nightmare as she will rear up and do anything. When you take her to jump her hurdles she is just class because she just focuses on her job. Jamie has done a brilliant job and I’m delighted to get one for Chips as he is a massive supporter of Jamie and myself and he is just the nicest man. As soon as I went past the winning line I was getting that cold sweat feeling. I did really fancy her.
“It was just one of those who I was very confident about beforehand. Datsalrightgino we still had concerns about the ground and would he handle it. I had three runners to fire this year and they were all today and getting one out of the three to go in is massive to get it done.
“She is very talented. I didn’t want her to run the last day. I wanted her to come here fresh but Jamie thought she is a hardy type and she gives her all. You have probably seen the best of her until two out but if something else would have come to me she would have gone on again. I wanted a fresh horse but she went down the Love Envoi route. I wouldn’t mind having a crack at the Grade One at Fairyhouse next.
“She has won over two and half last time. Chips and Jamie were having the discussion and Chips said he would love to win the Albert Bartlett but I just thought she has enough speed and he said right you ride her and Jamie trains her so I will shut up.”
Successful owner Sir Chips Keswick, said: “I was away last time (when Present View won) so it is great to be here 10 years later. I’m thrilled. I had to go see Arsenal (who was chairman of at the time) against Bayern Munich and they beat us 4-1. I think she is very special.
Jamie and i are very close and we never discuss the result beforehand. I was thinking come on you beauty. I can’t believe it really. I have a few horses but she is the nicest.
“I hope Arsenal will win the league this year and I think they might just get there. If Arsenal win the league after having a winner at the Cheltenham Festival that might just be an overflowing cup! I retired when I was 80 from the board which was three years ago and I think when you leave you leave and you shouldn’t hang around, but rest assured I watch them every time on television.”
Gordon Elliott, trainer of third home Halka Du Tabert, said: "This was only her fifth time on a racecourse so it was a great effort. I don't know if she will run again this season as i consider her a mare for next autumn when she will go novice chasing."
4.50pm Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 1f
- You Wear It Well 16-1
- Magical Zoe 15-2
- Halka Du Tabert 12-1
21 ran
Distances: 2¾, hd
Time: 4m 6.70s (slow by 9.70s)
3rd winner at The Festival for jockey Gavin Sheehan
2nd winner at The Festival for trainer Jamie Snowden
