Lift Me Up proves he’s no Wannabe with Warwick hit for Horners

Red Bull Formula One supremo Christian Horner and his Spice Girl wife Geri were on course at Warwick to cheer home last-race winner Lift Me Up, who set up a tilt at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trained by Maxine Filby, the nine-year-old bounced right back to his best having been pulled up in a point-to-point last time out.

Lift Me Up had shown he was a smart performer in this sphere when second in Stratford’s Champion Hunters’ Chase in May and having seen off the likes of Bennys King and 5-4 favourite Jeux d’Eau in the Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters’ Chase, a trip to the highlight of the National Hunt season beckons.

The St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase, seen as the Gold Cup for amateurs, is now the aim.

“It was a great race and great to see him run so well against some strong horses,” said Christian Horner.

“There’s more similarities than you might think between horse racing and motor racing, just in the way a jockey gets the most out of a horse. Jack (Andrews) did a wonderful job today, he rode him really well and timed the race brilliantly, so there are more similarities than you think.

“We’ve been involved for about three or four years now and it’s just a bit of fun, this horse is going to the hunter chase at Cheltenham, so this was a good warm-up race for him.

“I don’t know about it getting serious, we’re very pleased with the little team we have; Maxine Filby has done a great job training him and all the girls and guys that are involved.”

However, Horner’s job means he will not be at Cheltenham should the horse make it.

He said: “Racing is a great sport, it’s great to see it supported, we’re only at the shallow end but it’s great to be involved.

“Travelling (with Formula One) is tiring but it is a pleasure what we get to do. Our first race coincides with Cheltenham, so I’ll be glued to the internet trying to find out how he gets on.

“It’s in Australia, so I’ll be up in the middle of the night.”