Don’t Rightly Know jumps Newbury rivals ragged for Listed prize

Don’t Rightly Know made all to land the Listed Charlie Nugent Memorial Mares’ Chase at Newbury.

Harry Cobden sent the 2-1 favourite straight to the front of the field and the 10-year-old never put a foot wrong, with an impeccable round of jumping.

Lady Balko, seeking a fourth straight victory, was the first beaten as Don’t Rightly Know kept the pressure on and it was Apple Away and Derek Fox that gave chase, but Cobden kept the Polly Gundry-trained mare up to her work to come home one and a quarter lengths clear and secure a double on the day for the champion jockey.

Fantastic Lady stayed on to claim third, with Smiling Getaway and Lady Balko tailed off.

Gundry said: “I think Harry did a rather good job.

“I think she can really cope with soft ground which is a bit safer for her and it’s a bit dead out there. I think all the frost and the rain we’ve had recently has helped.

“She hasn’t got the mileage and it is a little bit like a car, if you don’t put the mileage on you have it there for later.

“She has got the most extraordinary temperament, very arrogant and she wants to do it all her own way and it’s a really good win.”

She went on: “We’ll have a lot of celebrations as a result of this one and we’ll go and plan whilst we’re having a glass of champagne.”

Cobden told Sky Sports Racing: “She’s got lots of stamina because she’s won over three miles on a more testing surface than this. She’s a nice mare and great for Polly and connections because they’ve bred her and that’s what every breeder wants to do, get a mare that wins a Listed race.

“She going to take a fair hike in the handicap, isn’t she? She’s obviously improving even though she’s 10 years old. I think the handicapper will give her 15lb, but if she runs against similar company again she will go and win again won’t she?”

Jasmin De Grugy wrapped up a five-timer in the DJB Cleaning Handicap Chase.

The Anthony Honeyball-trained six-year-old was held up by Richie McLernon and the 7-4 favourite was asked for an effort three out.

He soon challenged the leaders and took it up over the last to win in a canter, by four and a quarter lengths from Garincha.

Jurancon has been placed in all seven of his starts under rules and claimed a fourth victory in the Grosvenor Sport Cash Back Offers Novices’ Hurdle.

The David Pipe-trained six-year-old raced prominently and although he did not jump fluently he did enough to justify 5-4 favouritism by two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Big Ginge.

Cobden got his day up and running when partnering Sherminator to victory on his hurdling debut in the Grosvenor Sport Win Rewards Every Day EBF Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

He jumped into contention going over the final flight before hitting the front and keeping on to win by two and a quarter lengths going away from Star Of Guiting at 11-4.

Bucephalus (7-2 joint-favourite) made all under 7lb claimer Harriet Tucker to land the Grosvenor Sport New Customers Double Odds Handicap Hurdle, while Keable (9-4) made it a successful day for favourite-backers when he became the fifth favourite to win out of six races in the closing Grosvenor Sport Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle.