Wendigo claims comfortable Newbury success

Wendigo stayed on powerfully to beat No Questions Asked in what could prove an informative renewal of the Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

Jamie Snowden’s big hope had been caught close home by subsequent Cheltenham winner Wade Out on his chasing debut but he showed the benefit of that run when putting in some fantastic leaps on the way round.

The Ben Pauling-trained No Questions Asked appeared to be travelling much better going to the second last but approaching the final fence, Wendigo (5-2) took off for Gavin Sheehan and went on to win by two lengths. Regent’s Stroll, who was sent off the 15-8 favourite, stayed on for third after racing keenly in the early stages.

Wendigo is now a 16-1 chance for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Paddy Power, but a trip to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase could be a more immediate target.

“Stamina probably won him the day there, but he’s a classy horse for sure,” said Snowden.

“He was fifth in the Albert Bartlett and very unlucky that day when nearly brought down at the second last, so he’s a very classy horse. Fences were always what he was made for.

“He’s a horse we have always loved and couldn’t wait to see over a fence. We’ve taken our time and been patient with him and that was a great thrill.

“It was good ground and he will be better on slightly softer and we know he stays further. Ben’s horse probably looked the winner two out before we outstayed him from the back of the last. He’s won a Grade Two and he’s won a Grade Two impressively.

“We’ll definitely be going up to three miles and the future is very bright. The obvious race is the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. I think he may be marginally better left-handed than right-handed, but that is just a hunch and we’ll enjoy today and look forward to the future.”

Snowden is now just 11 winners shy of his best ever tally in a season and the trainer was delighted to reward the support of the triumphant Racing Club syndicate, which is run by some of the Lambourn handler’s friends.

He said: “The last 10 years we have been training, each year has slightly bettered the previous one. We won the Coral Gold Cup a couple of years ago and I never thought that we would be beating those kind of years but this year seems to be even better. It’s a testament to the great, solid team we have at home.

“I’m delighted for the owners – it started off years ago with myself, Gary (Gillies) and Jordan (Wylie).

“Jordan was my old corporal in the army and one day we were soaking wet in a ditch in Northern Ireland and he said ‘boss, what will you do when you leave the army’ and I suggested training horses and it’s all come about from that.

“Here we have everyone from my postman to grandkids involved in the horse and it’s great to have a day like today.”