Friday 20 January 2017 18:10, UK
Tim Vaughan believes Tanit River could develop into a useful staying chaser after the seven-year-old struck at Chepstow.
Successful over fences at Towcester in November, Tanit River was soundly beaten over hurdles at Ffos Las, but returned to form when reverting back to fences in the Best Odds Guaranteed At 188Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
Tanit River (16-1) edged into the lead three out after Flintham had made the running, and then jumped the second-last fence to his right towards Robinsfirth, who was just behind in second place.
He hit the obstacle, causing jockey Harry Cobden, to be unseated and leaving the race at Tanit River's mercy. Tim Vaughan's charge went on to score by 17 lengths from Join The Clan in the hands of 3lb claimer Alan Johns.
"I would say we would have won. It's taken him a while to relax, but he's climbed up the ranks and there has always been a nice day in him," the Vale of Glamorgan handler told At The Races.
"We were going to go to Newbury on Wednesday, but I told the owners he was ready for a more competitive race, so we came here.
"He still needs to brush up his jumping, but he's getting more polished now.
"You'd like to think he might come back here next season for a long-distance chase and possibly the Welsh National."
French import Shaama Grise (5-4 favourite) got off the mark in Britain at the second attempt with a convincing victory in the 188Bet Mares' Handicap Hurdle.
The David Pipe-trained five-year-old had shaped well when second on this course earlier in the month and fairly scooted up by seven lengths when given the office by Tom Scudamore.
"She's a lovely mare and has built on her first run. Obviously he was 5lb well in, so in theory she was expected to win and she's gone and done it nicely," said Pipe.
Shaama Grise holds an entry at Bangor on Monday, but is unlikely to be turned out again so quickly.
"It's unlikely she'll go to Bangor next week. We'll see what the handicapper does and take it from there," the Nicholashayne handler.
Tom George-trained The World's End saw off main market rival Testify in the Australian Open Tennis At 188Bet 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.
Testify tried to make all the running but was tracked by the 1-4 favourite, who quickened clear from the final flight to score by three lengths under Adrian Heskin.
Denis O'Regan produced Court Frontier (9-2 favourite) with a well-timed challenge to lead on the run-in and take the 188bet.co.uk Handicap Chase by for trainer Paul Morgan.
Ben Pauling's Imperial Bay (3-1) put up a game front-running performance under David Bass to hold Dashing Perk by four lengths in the Free Spins At 188Bet Casino Maiden Hurdle. The pair drew 30 lengths clear of Twist Of Ginge in third.
The Dai Rees-trained Gardiners Hill (11-10) sent favourite-backers home happy when he defied a 7lb penalty in the Bet #10 Get #30 At 188Bet Handicap Chase under Paul Moloney.
