Catterick Racecourse played host to the Bet At Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) on , a Class 4 contest over a distance of 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 156 yards. Seven runners competed on ground described as Good, with a total prize fund of £10,000, offering £5,446 to the winner.
Inedit D’amour Secures Victory
It was Inedit D’amour (FR), a 5-year-old trained by D McCain Jnr and ridden by Theo Gillard, who ultimately prevailed in a commanding performance. The gelding, carrying 11-6, was prominent throughout the race, taking the lead going best two furlongs out. Despite edging left approaching the last hurdle, Inedit D’amour extended his advantage and kept on well to secure the win. The final time was recorded at 3 minutes and 51.56 seconds, with the off time being 13:32:47.
A Disappointing Run for the Favourite
Not For Passin (IRE), carrying the same weight as the winner and starting as the 5/6 favourite, finished second. Ridden by Liam Harrison for trainer R L Llewellyn, the 6-year-old led the race initially but was shaken up and headed two furlongs from home. While holding on for second, Not For Passin made a mistake at the last hurdle and never posed a serious threat to the winner in the closing stages.
Apache Eagle Shows Promise Despite Finishing Last
Apache Eagle, a 5-year-old trained by J Bedi and ridden by Aaron Anderson, finished last of the seven runners. The gelding was held up in rear and encountered trouble at the fourth hurdle, struggling from that point onwards and losing touch three furlongs out. Despite the disappointing finish, the performance may offer insights into the horse’s development as a novice hurdler.
Race Recap and Key Performances
The race saw a varied pace, with several horses vying for the lead in the early stages. Have Secret (IRE), a 6-year-old trained by R A Fahey and ridden by Jamie Hamilton, showed early promise, chasing the leaders but slowing on the approach to the second hurdle. The horse recovered but ultimately lacked the finishing speed to challenge for the win. Intenzo (FR), trained by M Walford and ridden by Tom Midgley, also made a move after the fifth hurdle, but hung left before the second-last and faded in the final stages.
Dotties Promise, trained by S Corbett and ridden by Nathan Moscrop, faced difficulties early in the race, overjumping the second hurdle and losing ground. The 6-year-old struggled to recover and was ultimately pulled up. William Walton, trained by J & A O’Neill and ridden by K Brogan, was always towards the rear and never appeared to be a factor in the outcome.
Betting and Official Ratings
Inedit D’amour’s victory came at odds of 18/1, providing a significant return for those who backed the outsider. Not For Passin’s second-place finish at 5/6 was a relatively disappointing result for bettors. Have Secret (IRE) started at 15/8, while Intenzo (FR) was a 66/1 shot. The official rating of Inedit D’amour was 106 prior to the race.
Looking Ahead
This maiden hurdle provided valuable experience for all the horses involved, particularly the younger runners. The performance of Inedit D’amour suggests a promising future over hurdles and the gelding will likely move on to more challenging races. The race also highlighted the importance of jumping accuracy and stamina, qualities that will be crucial for success in future hurdle contests. The result will be closely analyzed by trainers and owners as they plan their horses’ campaigns for the remainder of the National Hunt season.
The Bet At Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) at Catterick offered a compelling start to the new year for National Hunt racing fans. The victory of Inedit D’amour was a testament to the horse’s ability and the skill of its jockey and trainer. The race also provided valuable insights into the potential of several other promising young horses.
