Balding celebrates Glory at Fontwell

Night Of Glory held on bravely to register his first win over hurdles at Fontwell Park.
Minellatillmorning won the Happy Birthday Sarah Cotty Handicap Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell ParkMinellatillmorning won the Happy Birthday Sarah Cotty Handicap Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell Park
Minellatillmorning won the Happy Birthday Sarah Cotty Handicap Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell Park

The four-year-old son of Flat legend Sea The Stars clinched the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle by a neck on Thursday, as predicted by our tipsters AccaDoo.
In the hands of jockey Paddy Brennan, the Andrew Balding-trained gelding saw off a sustained challenge from Gary Moore’s Kapdad on heavy ground.

Night Of Glory, who was sent off the even-money favourite for the extended two-mile battle, had placed third on each of his opening two efforts over hurdles.

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Sandwiched between those encouraging runs at Sandown and Warwick was a victory on the Flat, where he reached a career-high mark of 99.

Night Of Glory won the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell ParkNight Of Glory won the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell Park
Night Of Glory won the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell Park

After Night Of Glory had got the six-race card off to a flying start, Jaisalmer won the Lorrain & Stephen Omahoney Celebrating 10 Years Novices’ Hurdle at 2/1.

Mark Bradstock’s charge, ridden by Nico de Boinville, beat 4/9-favourite Distingo by more than three lengths in the Novices Championship Hurdle Series qualifier.

Somerset trainer Colin Tizzard celebrated a double, which was kicked off by Bramble Brook’s 9/5 win in the Happy Birthday Kate Digweed Love Gordon Racing Handicap Chase.

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That success came in the hands of Harry Cobden, while James Bowen completed the job in the bumper on board debutant Jaytrack Parkhomes.

Night Of Glory won the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell ParkNight Of Glory won the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell Park
Night Of Glory won the Goodwin Racing Telephone Betting Juvenile Hurdle. Picture: Fontwell Park

A four-year-old son of Multiplex, he beat Looks Frozen by a neck to bank odds of 3/1. Scorpion Haze, the 13/8 favourite, was third.

Minellatillmorning, ridden by Noel Fehily and trained by Neil Mulholland, justified his 4/7-favouritism in the Happy Birthday Sarah Cotty Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old son of King’s Theatre, another of our selections, was completing back-to-back wins after victory at Taunton on February 4.

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Redmond won the Liberty Leasing Asset Finance Handicap Chase for jockey Nick Scholfield and trainer Jack Barber.

Sent off the 5/2 favourite, the Tikkanen gelding beat Itoldyou by five lengths with Royals And Rebels back in third spot.

The next racing at Fontwell is on Sunday, February 25 when the £80,000 Totepool National Spirit Hurdle will take centre stage.