By Peter Moore at Fontwell Park Tuesday 24th October 2024
Jockey Adam Wedge took the honours at Fontwell Park on Tuesday afternoon in front of a very healthy midweek crowd at the Sussex track,
Wedge, rode Instant Gambler to victory in the second race of the afternoon before landing the finale on Catboy.
Instant Gambler made it back to back wins since returning back from more than a year and a half out injured to take the 3m 2f novice handicap by a comfortable nine lengths.
The Alexandra Dunn-trained eight-year-old had been off for 565 days before a shock 25-1 course-and-distance success last month.
Wedge, brought up his double by steering the Christian Williams trained Catboy to victory in the 2m 11/2f handicap hurdle to get the better of Sanister by three and a half lengths.
In form trainer Daisy Hitchins made it two wins from the last six runners after No Way Pedro took the 3m2f handicap hurdle under Robbie David.
It was a special afternoon for claimer David after steering the 25-1 shot first past the post to bring up his first winner under rules.
Hitchins, who only started training in March has a small yard at Sherborne in Dorset, with just fourteen horses.
Amateur jockey Alex Chadwick continued his terrific season in the saddle with Honneur D’Ajonc’s success in the 2m1½f handicap hurdle.
The seven-year-old’s two-and-a-half-length win took Chadwick’s strike-rate this campaign to a fine 28 per cent, with seven victories from 25 rides.
Trained by Newmarket trainer James Owen, the gelding’s success made it three winners in the past 72 hours for the up and coming Owen.
Local duel trainers Gary & Josh Moore took the 2m 3 and a half furlong handicap Chase which is part of the Fontwell Chase Series Qualifier by saddling the consistent Call Off The Dogs to victory under Caoilin Quinn.
The experienced nine-year-old had already registered back to back course and distance victories back in May, before failing to bring up the hat trick after getting beaten by Belgarum last time out.
However today the gelding went one better to keep on towards the finish to see off the challenge of Fat Sam to win by half a length.