Jockey Club Maiden Mares’ Series Final winner Imperial Pride doubled her prize money as a result of that win when running at Market Rasen yesterday (Tuesday).
Meanwhile there was another good result under rules for one of last season’s maiden point-to-point winners when Tormund Giantsbane got off the mark in his first attempt at a bumper on today’s Worcester card.
Eight-year-old Imperial Pride was trained by Oliver Bowd and ridden by Jack Andrews when landing the Jockey Club series final (pictured above on her way to victory). Restricted to fillies and mares who were maidens at the season’s start and who had won any maiden or been placed in one of 12 Jockey Club-sponsored races, the contest was due to be held at Woodford in April, but after that fixture was abandoned it was moved to the end of May and held at Chaddesley Corbett.
Imperial Pride became involved in a good scrap with the Luke Price-trained Mini Fortune before prevailing by one and a half lengths, and it was quickly announced that the winner would rejoin licensed trainer David Dennis to run under rules. Dennis had a plan because the final’s winner and placed horses were in line for a bonus which would result in them doubling any prize money won at a Jockey Club-owned racecourse on their first, second or third run.
A month later Dennis ran the mare at the independent racecourse of Newton Abbot, but she gained a crack at the double prize money offer when running at Market Rasen, which comes under the Jockey Club’s portfolio of tracks. Sent off the 7/2 favourite under Tom Bellamy, she was in contention until two out before finishing third of the eight runners. Thanks to the sponsor’s bonus she doubled the £880 prize for her owners The David Dennis Racing Club.
Tormund Giantsbane, who is named after a character depicted in the hit TV series Game Of Thrones, made a winning point-to-point debut at Kimble in March, and he followed up in grand style when winning today’s 12-runner bumper at Worcester.
Tormund Giantsbane (farside, Sean O'Connor) seen winning at Kimble in March (Ce)
Nick Pearce was in charge when the four-year-old won his maiden race, but after that education he was switched into Dan Skelton’s yard to begin racing under rules. Ridden by Harry Skelton, Tormund Giantsbane (3/1 favourite) emerged through a wall of horses as they raced down Worcester’s home straight, eventually winning by a length.