Publisher Du Gite beats Edwardstone in thrilling Clarence House Chase | Horses race

Berkshire’s loss proved to be the West Country’s gain here on Saturday as Grade One Clarence House Chase, diverted from their usual home at Ascot, produced a memorable duel on Cheltenham Hill before Editor Du Gite, who was not on the court during his scheduled date last weekend, edged Edwardstone with Energumene, winner of last year’s Champion Chase and odds at 4-9, only third.

Editor Du Gite, a 14-1 chance, threw a decent canter from the start under Niall Houlihan, a conditional runner in Gary Moore’s backyard, but appeared to be booked for second place as Edwardstone, winner of the Arkle trophy last season, took a narrow lead. halfway up the hill. When Houlihan asked for a last push, Publisher Du Gite responded impressively to get back in the lead a few strides from the line.

Josh Moore, who suffered a life-threatening infection after a fall in April 2022 and confirmed his retirement from riding earlier this month, was in the winner’s enclosure to greet Editeur Du Gite and Houlihan, and the stable hope now emulating the triumph of Sire Du Grugy, in the same red and blue colors of co-owner Steve Preston, in the 2014 Champion Chase.

“He loves it here,” Moore said. “He showed he was a good horse at Kempton Park [last time so] it’s no surprise he won, but Edwardstone and Energumene looked like they couldn’t be beat.

“I had nothing to do with Sire De Grugy but it’s good that these colors are coming back. One of the owners, Trevor Jacobs, has been hospitalized for almost six months, so it’s good for him. It’s progressing, it’s still good. Guess we’ll be looking at Champion Chase now, but he won’t have a 14-1 chance for that.

Editeur Du Gite is now best priced at 13-2 for the Champion Chase on March 15, in what is now an open market for the two-mile feature from Day Two of the Festival. Energumene and Edwardstone are favorites at 3-1, with Blue Lord third at 9-2.

There was emotional success with Ahoy Senor in the Cotswold Chase for trainer Lucinda Russell, whose 95-year-old father Peter, who had a stake in the winner, died this week. Russell was instrumental in establishing Russell’s stable in Scotland, where she formed One For Arthur to win the Grand National at Aintree in 2017.

“My dad was a fantastic person,” Russell said. “Throughout his life racing meant a lot to him and he would always phone me before and after races and I will miss that dearly.

“He loved this horse and really wanted him to succeed. It was dad who tricked me and gave me the drive and the determination, and he would be very proud today. He’s always been good, but I think he’s come of age now.

Ahoy Senor was down to around 12-1 for the Gold Cup in March, in a market led by Galopin Des Champs at 13-8.