Passing Diamond rallies to give Ben Haslam notable winner
Despite the big two missing the race still served up a treat.
Ben Haslam landed the first Grade Two victory of his training career as Richie McLernon rolled back the years with an aggressive ride on Passing Diamond in the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
While the race was shorn of Old Park Star and Kabral Du Mathan due to the quick ground, those who ran served up a real treat with the eventual winner and Workahead setting off at a great clip.
When Workahead took over at the second last Passing Diamond (13-2) looked beaten but he responded to McLernon’s urgings and rallied up the hill to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Haslam said: “I don’t think it gets much better than this and it’s a lot different to the day-to-day at Sedgefield and Hexham. He’s won two races round Cartmel where we love going but I didn’t think we would be winning round here.
“It was a fantastic round of jumping after he missed the first two and I think if he could get into a really good rhythm he will be even better.
“The two big non-runners have helped us but we still had to beat what was in front of us. The races he has been winning weren’t taking a lot out of him in the summer.
“I’m not sure where we go from here but we might just train him lightly now leading into the spring and the Festival. We know he stays further so we have that up our sleeve if we want it, but I think we have to be aiming at coming back for the Arkle.”
It was a first Grade Two since Closing Ceremony won the Rendlesham in early 2015 for the winning rider who embraced the winning moment with an enthusiastic celebration.
McLernon said: “I’m thrilled for Ben. It’s a special place here and it was a big gamble to run here and it’s always nice to enjoy these days when they come off.”
The opening Citipost Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase went the way of Ireland as Ross Crawford – brother of fellow trainer Stuart – sent out the 4-1 chance Dinoland to strike in the hands of Oran McGill.
It was a memorable day for jockey Michael Kenneally who celebrated a double.
He firstly celebrated on Black Bamboo (12-1) in the From The Horses Mouth Podcast Handicap Hurdle for John Murphy before following up on Edward Power’s Sunny South West (4-1) in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle.
The closing Karndean Designflooring Mares’ Open NH Flat Race saw a classy performance from Henry de Bromhead’s 15-8 favourite Elegantemente for John Gleeson.