3 minute read
Dan Skelton's Value At Risk finally opened his account over fences in the Download The Timeform App Novices' Chase at Bangor.
A smart novice hurdler, he looked set for a big future over fences last year but fell early in his first two attempts and ended up reverting to the smaller obstacles.
Beaten into fourth at Uttoxeter earlier in the month, he stripped much fitter this time and jumped with aplomb for Harry Skelton, but he needed to be on his game.
Alan King's Wishing And Hoping set a strong gallop before the even-money favourite wore him down, jumping to the front at the second-last and holding on by a length and a quarter after idling in front.
"As soon as we pulled up Wayne (Hutchinson) asked me what sort of race it rode like because he felt he'd gone a good gallop and we did," jockey Harry Skelton told Racing UK.
"The other day at Uttoxeter I just wanted to make sure he jumped well and then he just got tired. Today he's got to the front and thought the job was done.
"It's been a long road to get here, last season wasn't ideal and he ended up on his head twice but Mark (Huglin, owner) has been patient and wanted to try and make him a chaser.
"Ideally he wants a bit more cut and I think two-mile-six would be perfect, but he's not slow, he's got a good cruising speed and softer ground would help.
"We're delighted, he's won a chase and it's been a long time coming."