What A Friend scores for Sir Alex on big day for Nicholls

Published on Tuesday 29 December 2009 21:52

PAUL Nicholls enjoyed another spectacular day of big-race success as the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned What A Friend triumphed in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown and champion stayer Big Buck's knuckled down to a thrilling win in the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury.

Sam Thomas was the major beneficiary of the rescheduled Lexus Chase as he made the switch from Newbury to Leopardstown to score aboard Ferguson's What A Friend. The Manchester United manager was at the Dublin track 24 hours earlier to see his Hennessy runner-up perform under Barry Geraghty, but the race was abandoned because of thick fog.

With Geraghty required at Newbury, Thomas climbed back aboard the Nicholls-trained runner after the partnership performed with great credit behind Denman at Newbury last month.

As Joncol and Notre Pere traded blows at the head of the field for the lion's share of the three-mile test, What A Friend cruised around under Thomas and began to take closer order leaving the back stretch. Joncol had won the battle for the lead heading to the final fence, but Thomas was in his slipstream and grabbed the initiative 100 yards from the finish in a nip-and-tuck climax.

Nicky Richards' Money Trix (14-1) was the surprise package and despite coming under pressure a long way out, he got within a half a length of What A Friend, relegating Joncol into third.

Thomas said: "I was disappointed not to be riding the horse in the first place but I got the opportunity today. Everything happens for a reason and the gods must have been looking down on me. Thank goodness for the fog!"

Nicholls, who saddled Denman to success in the 2007 Lexus Chase, added: "I am really chuffed for Sam. It all worked out really well and Sam rode him beautifully."

What A Friend is now a general 20-1 shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Nicholls is keen on swerving the race this year. The Ditcheat handler added: "He'll definitely have an entry but I'm not sure I'd want to run him in the Gold Cup against Denman and Kauto. I'll discuss it with Ged (Mason) and Sir Alex but he has an enormous amount of ground to make up."

Big Buck's saw off what might have been his only remaining challengers in the three-mile section with a determined effort in the rescheduled Racing UK On Virgin 536 Long Walk Hurdle.

The Grade One event was due to be held at Ascot last week before it was lost to the frost but 30-odd miles further west in Berkshire the field were welcomed by rain-saturated ground.

It was billed as a clash between 2009 Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Big Buck's and Diamond Harry and as the field crawled around their first circuit, the young pretender and Timmy Murphy stalked the 1-2 favourite, a respectable distance behind the leader Fair Along.

Ruby Walsh had to get after Big Buck's at the top of the straight and looked briefly in some danger, but the gelding drew three and a half lengths clear after leading two out. Diamond Harry (11-4) was beaten for second by Karabak.

Nick Williams and Daryl Jacob celebrated their second Grade One victory in as many days as Reve De Sivola snared the Racing UK Free Today On Sky 432 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.

Nicky Henderson's unbeaten Quantitativeeasing (2-5 favourite) won the Lawrence Equine Support Heroes Introductory Hurdle under Tony McCoy. McCoy later made it two for himself and owner JP McManus in last-gasp style aboard Doctor Pat (9-4 favourite) in the totepool Support Heroes Novices' Handicap Chase.