Wetherby review: Day to remember for Ellison
Last Updated: 01/11/14 7:17am
A review of Friday's action at Wetherby, where Brian Ellison was dreaming of the Cheltenham Festival after Full Day's victory in the juvenile hurdle.
Brian Ellison is already dreaming of the Cheltenham Festival for Full Day after her win in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle at Wetherby.
The last two winners of this Listed contest have gone on to perform with credit in the Triumph Hurdle, with Sametegal finishing third to Our Conor and Royal Irish Hussar sixth behind Tiger Roll in March.
Full Day was useful enough on the level, but has now won three out of four since switched to obstacles and in truth it would have been disappointing had she been turned over.
Only five went to post, including a stablemate, and she was sent off the 8/15 favourite under Danny Cook.
She travelled smoothly throughout and everything was going to plan until she fluffed her lines at the final flight, allowing Magic Magnolia to draw level again and Cook had to shake her up to register a half-length success.
"It was a bit messy, but she's bone idle," said Ellison.
"She'll be better in a better race because she only does what she has to do.
"If she had pinged the last she would have won by two lengths.
"We'll give her a break now, she's been on the go in the Flat season and that's her fourth run over hurdles already.
"We'll bring her back in the spring and hopefully give her two runs before Cheltenham.
"I think she's a Fred Winter type."
Ellison has trained a Grade One-winning four-year-old in the past in Marsh Warbler but he says comparisons between the two are futile.
"They are totally different, she wouldn't beat a selling plater on the gallops at home," he said.
"He was a good horse on his day, but this one saves her best for the track, definitely."
Mick Easterby enjoyed a fine afternoon with two of his better jumpers on the scoresheet.
Shadows Lengthen, who may still be slightly unexposed over fences, was a very impressive winner of the bet365 Handicap Chase under Brian Harding.
A competitive-looking race on paper, Tim Easterby's Trustan Times was favourite having been placed in the Scottish National last season but this was a steep drop in trip.
Silver Roque was strongly fancied as he has an enviable record when fresh but Fergal O'Brien's charge threw away any chance with a sloppy round of jumping.
Harding bided his time on Shadows Lengthen, who was the 20/1 outsider of the eight runners, and he was an easy seven-length winner from Off The Ground, who took a while to warm to his task and may benefit from a step up in trip.
The veteran trainer was also on the mark with Lightening Rod, fast becoming a Wetherby specialist, who laughed at his rivals in the bet365.com Handicap Hurdle.
Just touched off by Goodwood Mirage at the track two weeks ago, he was carrying top weight but amateur jockey Harry Bannister was finding it hard to hold on to his mount in the straight he was going so well.
Pertuis made a big for home at the third last but Lightening Rod (8/1) breezed clear to win by seven lengths.
There were also wins for Micky Hammond's Pay The King (100/30) and Lucinda Russell's Ballyben (7/2).