Fenton enjoys dream comeback
It was a case of happy returns in more ways than one at Windsor today.
Jump racing resumed at the Berkshire track after six years and Barry Fenton enjoyed a fairytale comeback after an eight-month lay-off, riding Master Rex to success in the two-mile Crown Wallcoverings Handicap Chase.
Nicky Richards faced a four-and-a-half-hour trip back to his Greystoke base in Cumbria, but his would also have been a happy return as he gained the biggest success of the afternoon when Monet’s Garden powered to victory in the Grade Two Coloroll Hurdle.
In the process, the 11-4 shot earned a 10-1 quote with the sponsors for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Tony Dobbin’s mount led over the last in the two-and-a-half-mile event and ran on stoutly to beat Monkerhostin by four lengths.
The Roselier gelding is set for a light campaign according to Richards, who said: “I will let him do the talking. He could run in the Relkeel Hurdle or the Long Walk Hurdle, but we’ll see how he comes out of the race.
“He won’t have any more than four or five runs this season, because I want him for chasing. He is bred to get three miles, and it looks like he will get it very well.”
It has been a long road to recovery for Fenton, who broke his leg in a fall at Huntingdon in March and had a pin inserted from his hip to his knee.
But on his first ride back he was at his best, cajoling Ben De Haan’s quirky Master Rex, the 5-2 favourite, home to a short head victory from the staying-on Marked Man.
An delighted Fenton said: “That was deadly, absolutely brilliant!”
He added: “I have been working hard, putting in plenty of work at the gym and riding out. I’ve come back weighing 10 stones on the button and that’s the lightest I’ve ever been after a summer.”
De Haan added: “I am delighted for Barry. This horse is damn good, really talented when he wants to be, and this ground would have been plenty soft enough for him.”
It wasn’t just jump racing and Fenton who came in from the cold. Oliver Sherwood, who had not been in the winner’s enclosure for 192 days, finally struck a blow, landing the Vymura Handicap Chase with Monty’s Double (100-30).
The seven-year-old jumped boldly throughout the three-mile event, hitting the front three fences from home and staying on well to beat Curtins Hill by a length and a quarter.
Sherwood’s assistant Warren Greatrex said: “There are no plans for him, but he has got three miles well and that gives up some options.
“He has always shown ability and will be a different horse this year. He’s strengthened up and like a few of ours, he has taken time to come to hand, but the boss will be pleased with that.”
Maximinus made light work of his eight rivals to take the Anaglypta Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Michael Madgwick and jockey Robert Lucey-Butler.
The 7-2 shot had nine lengths to spare over Mel In Blue at the end of the two-and-a-half-mile contest
“He’s a lovely horse, but he’s only a baby and fences will be his game,” said Madgwick.
“Robert gave him a great ride. He’s a sensible lad and a good rider. I just hope he gets the chances he deserves and then he will make it as a jockey.”
Andrew Parker Bowles’ home-bred Kingsbay, the 2-1 favourite, made a winning debut over obstacles when taking the Live From Coloroll Novices’ Hurdle under Jim Crowley.
The five-year-old mare, trained by Hugh Morrison, ran out a length winner from Heir To Be, who pecked at the last.
“I’m delighted. We will carry on hurdling with her for now, but chasing is the plan,” said Morrison’s wife, Mary.
“My daughter Panda taught her to jump – probably too well – and she is a mare that you can do anything with.”
The two-mile Wilman Interiors Handicap Hurdle was run at a crawl and it produced a sprint finish, with the Alan King-trained Atahuelpa (7-4) coming home best under Robert Thornton, beating Alrafid by one and a half lengths.
