Alexei stamped himself as a genuine prospect for trainer Joe Tizzard with a dominant display in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham. The German-bred gelding, who had been runner-up to Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance before landing a valuable Ascot handicap, was well supported for the Greatwood after his Chepstow conqueror was ruled out because of the ground.
Sent off 100-30 favourite under Brendan Powell, Alexei travelled smoothly through the race, worked his way into contention and took the lead up the hill, pulling clear after the last to win by six lengths. Tizzard praised the run as ‘a proper performance’, noting that Alexei went up 7lb for his Ascot success but had come out of it well and looked even better on the day.
‘Coming to the last I did just wonder what he was going to find,’ Tizzard said, adding that Powell wanted company approaching the obstacle because the horse tends to ‘have a look’ when he gets there. He pointed out that Alexei had won over two miles three in his maiden last year, so a fast-run two miles suits him, and although the ground had been a concern, it did not hinder him.
‘I’m just enjoying what he’s doing at the moment,’ Tizzard continued. ‘Ascot was only two weeks ago and he ran a blinder at Chepstow, so we’ve had two cracking weekends with him. I’m mindful that he’s done that twice in a fortnight, and on slower ground this time. I haven’t got a plan with him, the plan was these two and that’s where we’re at. Garth and Anne Broom are the best owners you can wish for, they deserve every success they get.’
Owner Garth Broom, also known for Native River’s 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup success, felt Alexei was even more eye-catching than at Ascot. Broom said he had checked the gelding’s German form and noted he had run well on soft and heavy ground there, adding that Alexei might be better than handicap company.
On the earlier card, Soldier Reeves sparkled in the mallardjewellers.com Maiden Hurdle, winning on his first start over obstacles for Dan and Harry Skelton at 14-1. The Skeltons’ charge prevailed by a half-length, with Gaelic Pride second and Bespoke Tailor third. Last year’s Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly made a decent hurdling debut for James Owen, leading for a long way before tiring to finish fourth under Sam Twiston-Davies.
Dan Skelton said Soldier Reeves had been too keen in bumpers and had over-jumped at the last, but praised his ‘big engine’ and said he intended to keep the horse at two miles while teaching him to settle and race properly.
In the Bottlegreen Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, Anthony Honeyball’s Kdeux Saint Fray produced a polished performance to win at 13-2 under Jonathan Burke. A faller on his novice chase debut, the five-year-old jumped well and handled the ground to see off his rivals, while stablemate Jordans Cross unseated his rider when favourite. Honeyball said the horse had jumped as expected, toughed it out and will now head to the John Francome at Newbury. He added that Jordans Cross appeared fine but would be checked for any knocks.
The Hine Solicitors Talking Sense Handicap Chase also went to the Joe Tizzard team as Brendan Powell guided Triple Trade (7-1) to a neck success over Torneo. Marble Sands, stepping up in trip, took the Oddschecker Handicap Chase for David Killahena and Graeme McPherson, winning by four lengths at 7-1 under Kielan Woods.
The card concluded with Tom Cooper’s Saint Clovis claiming the Three Counties Christmas Open National Hunt Flat Race. The 12-1 shot, ridden by Harry Cobden, won comfortably by four and three-quarter lengths.