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Chalgrove lands a thriller on VBET Day at Kempton

  Chalgrove emerged victorious following a titanic finish to the third race on VBET Day at Kempton Park. Philip Hobbs’ newcomer – a gelded five-year-old son of Le Havre – was sent off the 11/4 favourite for the Be Better Be VBETter "Newcomers" Standard Open NH Flat Race. The 12-runner race might have been competed over two miles, but the finish more resembled a five-furlong sprint as a quartet of horses crossed the line in unison. It required a photo-finish to separate them, with Chalgrove announced the winner by the shortest of heads. Jockey Richard Johnson told Racing UK: “It’s nice to win when they finish like that. “He has more of a Flat pedigree, really, but it looks like he’s going to make into a really nice jumper.” Trainer Nigel Hawke was delighted Galore Desassences had the opportunity to run on VBET Day. The 16/1 chance showed plenty of resolve when it mattered to land the Join VBET Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race by a length. Hawke said: “He’s a big, huge horse and time has done him the world of good.“ “It’s lovely how this race came up for us, but let’s get him home, see how he is and make a plan. “I’ve always thought he’s a lovely horse and he’s proved what we’ve already thought of him.”   Credit: Megan Rose Photography   Sheila Nash (9/1) later won the VBET Promotes Responsible Gambling Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race after a tight duel with Ballybough Mary. Jockey Alan Doyle said: “She stays very well. I was pretty aware of that so I committed fairly early on her.” In keeping with the theme of grandstand finishes, 25/1 shot Floy Joy won division one of the vbet.co.uk "Jumpers' Bumper" National Hunt Flat Race by a head from Dorking Lad. There was also only a neck separating Royal Pretender and Quiana in division two of the vbet.co.uk "Jumpers' Bumper" National Hunt Flat Race – with the former just getting home under Tom Bellamy.   By contrast, Tomorrow Mystery’s two-length victory in the Play Golden Shot At VBET Mares' “Jumpers' Bumper" NH Flat Race was achieved with agreat deal more comfort for jockey Harry Cobden . Young Lieutenant (20/1) then took control in the feature race of the day. Despite the late absence of Top Notch, Warren Greatrex’s charge nonetheless set alight VBET Day with a commanding two-length triumph.   Jockey Gavin Sheehan said: “He’s always been a nice horse. I’ve done a lot of schooling on this lad and, touch-wood, he’s been good. “He’s a horse that’ll go over fences and has got a nice future ahead of him.” Fergal O’Brien was also on the scoresheet when Golden Taipan (16/1) denied Millers Bank in division one of the VBET “Jumpers' Bumper" NH Flat Race. Division two – the final race of VBET’s February double-header at Kempton Park – was won in good style by consistent chestnut Before Midnight (7/2).
Horse Racing

Standings

England, Premier League