Meetmebythesea stays unbeaten with Doncaster victory

Meetmebythesea maintained his perfect professional record with success at Doncaster in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices’ Hurdle.

The five-year-old is owned by JP McManus and trained by Ben Pauling, who he joined after finishing second in his sole point-to-point outing in March last year.

He skipped the bumper game and made his first start over hurdles at Ludlow in November when winning by two and a quarter lengths, after which he took another contest over the same course and distance by a similar margin in December, beating well-regarded The Kemble Brewery.

Despite being saddled with a double penalty, he started as the 1-2 favourite on Town Moor under 7lb claimer Callum Pritchard and took up the running early on as none of his rivals looked keen to lead.

The race turned into a sprint in the home straight as a result, but Meetmebythesea showed he was not short of speed when locking horns with Alan King’s Mythical Moon and prevailing by a neck.

“It wasn’t always the prettiest, but he did everything he had to and I thought that was a very taking performance,” said Pauling.

“He was a bit green and looking around plenty, but I think that was because he had to make the running himself.

“He turned into a huge headwind and I think Callum was just waiting for a bit of company and then they all just pounced on him at once.

“I couldn’t believe how much he found under pressure, there was a lot to like about that and I think he’s a smart horse.”

Emma Lavelle’s George’s Lad was an easy winner of the Virgin Bet EBF “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle under Harry Cobden.

The five-year-old was been faring well in his early hurdling career and prior to arriving in South Yorkshire had gathered some good form without winning.

His previous two efforts were over two miles, but he stepped up to two miles and three furlongs when taking on 11 rivals this time.

He was well backed as the 10-11 favourite and those odds looked justified as he swooped under a neat ride to canter across the line three and a quarter lengths to the good.

“I’m delighted, he’s doing everything the right way,” said Lavelle.

“He’s just improved run on run and it’s lovely to see him develop.

“He’s a young horse, he’s only just five. He’s a great jumper who has done everything right and I think he has a very, very bright future ahead of him.”

Salt Rock posted another good performance over fences as he made light work of the Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old won at the first time of asking at Hereford last time and has some solid hurdle form, though he has been patiently handled as a large, strapping chasing type.

The 7-2 co-favourite under Tom Bellamy, he jumped from fence to fence, finding himself in front perhaps earlier than ideal but staying on resolutely to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory.

“He’s always had so much ability, but he hasn’t been the easiest to train,” said Mat Nicholls, who trains the horse alongside Kim Bailey.

“To see him put two good runs together is great for everybody, Tom’s given him a lovely ride and I think he just jumped his way to the front a touch too soon.

“The owners have been wonderful and patient, they’ve had to wait a long time for him to fulfil his potential and he’s starting to do it now.

“He could jump round anywhere in the country, we won’t be in a rush now because he’s had two in a row so there are no major plans.

“He’s creeping up the handicap, but he’s a fine, big horse who will always carry weight, he was made for this sort of thing.”

It was an outsider who struck in the Livescore Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle as Belinda Clarke’s Brockarno reeled in the race leaders to strike under Lee Edwards at 40-1.

The Virgin Bet Handicap Chase also went the way of a horse who had started at a larger price as Charlie Longsdon’s Harjo triumphed under Sam Twiston-Davies at 25-1.