Gevrey Chambertin grabs Carlisle glory for David Pipe

A review of the action from Carlisle on Thursday as Gevrey Chambertin proved he is no back number with a front-running success.

Gevrey Chambertin proved he is no back number with a resurgent front-running victory at Carlisle.

The David Pipe-trained eight-year-old is bred to be pretty smart as a full-brother to former stable star Grands Crus and the early indications were that he could go on to scale similar heights.

However, a major victory in the 2013 Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock aside, his career has been largely underwhelming and he lined up in the ApolloBet Enhanced Odds Handicap Hurdle with plenty to prove having disappointed three times since his last triumph at Lingfield in December.

Sent off at 9/2 in the hands of Tom Scudamore, Gevrey Chambertin looked to be enjoying his Cumbrian jaunt from flag-fall and gradually wound up the pace.

An untidy leap at the second-last aside, his jumping was largely assured and he came home 13 lengths clear of favourite Isaacstown Lad.

Scudamore said: "It's wonderful to have him back being able to do that again.

"It was only a few runs ago he won round Lingfield and he ran OK to a point at Chepstow last time.

"He has been an in-and-out performer in the past, but today he got his act together.

"He's a former Fixed Brush Hurdle winner at Haydock and he had some decent novice chase form in his younger days.

"He's always promised to be a decent horse, he's been a good servant over the years and hopefully he'll continue to thrive."

Irish raider Baby Bach was a similarly emphatic winner of the ApolloBet 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle for trainer Stuart Crawford and jockey Brian Hughes.

Fifth in a Grade Two at Haydock on his latest appearance, the 4/5 market-leader comfortably made the most of a drop in class to beat Dakota Grey by 10 lengths.

"It's definitely job done. We came here to do that," Crawford told Racing UK.

"The horse has been ready to go for the last few weeks but we've just been waiting for a bit nicer ground for him. We couldn't keep him ticking over forever and it looked an ideal race.

"We might keep him going and try to pick up another race, but he's really crying out for a fence.

"He's plenty of pace to travel over two miles on softer ground and he's one to look forward to next season."

The father-son combination of Stuart and Sam Coltherd enjoyed doubles on the afternoon, landing the ApolloBet Cheltenham Offers 'Hands And Heels' Handicap Hurdle with Captain Redbeard (5/1) and the ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Novices' Handicap Hurdle with Ash Park (9/1).

The winning trainer said: "Ash Park battled on well. We're still learning about the horse, but I think he'll only improve as the ground improves.

"It's good for Sam. I think he's pretty good value for his 7lb and he's done well."

The Maurice Barnes-trained Leney Cottage (13/2) opened his account in the Racing UK Day Pass Just 10 Novices' Handicap Chase.

Barnes said: "We ran him over hurdles a couple of times to get his confidence and find out what he was like.

"He loves this ground."

Swing Hard defied top-weight and justified 7/4 favouritism in the Watch Racing UK In HD Handicap Chase.

Winning trainer Sue Smith said: "He's just come back to himself. He won well here last time and perhaps made a bit harder work of it today, but the ground wasn't quite as soft.

"He's a good little jumper and I think there's another possible race here for him on March 26. "

The concluding bumper went to Reivers Lad (6/4) for trainer Nicky Richards and jockey Brian Harding.