3 minute read

Plumpton bonus in the offing for Festival success

Ok Corral duly landed the odds on his debut over fences in the Mayfield Sussex Hop Gin Novices’ Chase at Plumpton.

The 2-9 hotpot – runner-up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March – overcame one serious error to easily take the four-runner affair over three miles one and a half furlongs, on what was only the eighth run of his career.

A late withdrawal from Cheltenham on Saturday, the Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old put connections in line for a £60,000 bonus on offer from Plumpton should he go on to win a race over fences back at the Festival in March.

Impulsive Star set a very steady pace with Barry Geraghty content to sit close to the leader until taking over at the 11th fence.

It was at the next obstacle that Ok Corral made his mistake, but Geraghty was able to keep the combination intact.

The JP McManus-owned gelding soon built up a handy advantage and was not hard pressed to score by two and a quarter lengths from Impulsive Star, who regained second spot from Len Brennan close home.

“It was nice to get a run into him. Barry was happy with him and we’ll see how we go from here,” said McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry.

“He’s had plenty of problems, but it was nice to see him out and Barry said he’d have learnt a lot. He jumped grand.

“We’ll give him a couple of weeks and see where we go.”

Ok Corral is generally available at 20-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and is as big as 33-1 for the National Hunt Chase.