It's been a while since Alan King fielded a favourite for the Festival, but in Edwardstone, he carries the hopes of not just those at Barbury in redeeming the tarnished reputation of British-trained elite chasers.
Following in the traditions of the man who taught him, one David Nicholson, King has always supported Warwick with runners. In fact, it was horses of Edwardstone's calibre 30 years ago that allowed the race that is now the Kingmaker Chase to develop. with the backing of Jersey-based John Poynton, the then Chairman of Coventry City FC, Coventry City Raceday at Warwick became one of the early "trials" days so favoured by smaller courses nowadays in the lead up to the big one next month.
Horses like Thetford Forest (Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle 1992), Putty Road (same race 1995) prepped in a valuable Novices Hurdle that has since diminished in importance, whilst the Kingmaker was rescheduled from a May date to February in 1996, whence Nicholson adopted it with horses like Certainly Strong (1996) and Mulligan (1997).
Its success has less to do with its Graded status as the test it offers, and the timing. Warwick puts an emphasis on jumping prowess, with the back straight's five in a line prioritizing clean fast jumping.
And it's fair to say Edwardstone delivered on this. Despite just 4 runners, he asserted four out when long time leader For Pleasure called quits, and subsequently never saw another horse. The Skelton challenger Third Time Lucki, a one time fancy for the Arkle, was not able to get on terms.
And so, for this year at least, British-trained horses lead the market in the two leading chases over the minimum trip.
Meanwhile, over the hill in Ogbourne Maizey, Emma Lavelle didn't get the result she was hoping for in the Denman Chase from De Rasher Counter, but she did successfully introduce a youngster in Top Dog, a five year old son of Leading Light, who has been touched off in two previous bumpers, and prevailed with something in hand in the concluding race at Newbury.
Sunday was a day that organisers at the Vine & Craven will considers a lucky escape. The all-day rain put paid to fixtures at Buckfastleigh and Howick, and might readily have done the same at Barbury, had the meeting not already been withdrawn.
It's been a while since Alan King fielded a favourite for the Festival, but in Edwardstone, he carries the hopes of not just those at Barbury in redeeming the tarnished reputation of British-trained elite chasers.
Following in the traditions of the man who taught him, one David Nicholson, King has always supported Warwick with runners. In fact, it was horses of Edwardstone's calibre 30 years ago that allowed the race that is now the Kingmaker Chase to develop. with the backing of Jersey-based John Poynton, the then Chairman of Coventry City FC, Coventry City Raceday at Warwick became one of the early "trials" days so favoured by smaller courses nowadays in the lead up to the big one next month.
Horses like Thetford Forest (Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle 1992), Putty Road (same race 1995) prepped in a valuable Novices Hurdle that has since diminished in importance, whilst the Kingmaker was rescheduled from a May date to February in 1996, whence Nicholson adopted it with horses like Certainly Strong (1996) and Mulligan (1997).
Its success has less to do with its Graded status as the test it offers, and the timing. Warwick puts an emphasis on jumping prowess, with the back straight's five in a line prioritizing clean fast jumping.
And it's fair to say Edwardstone delivered on this. Despite just 4 runners, he asserted four out when long time leader For Pleasure called quits, and subsequently never saw another horse. The Skelton challenger Third Time Lucki, a one time fancy for the Arkle, was not able to get on terms.
And so, for this year at least, British-trained horses lead the market in the two leading chases over the minimum trip.
Meanwhile, over the hill in Ogbourne Maizey, Emma Lavelle didn't get the result she was hoping for in the Denman Chase from De Rasher Counter, but she did successfully introduce a youngster in Top Dog, a five year old son of Leading Light, who has been touched off in two previous bumpers, and prevailed with something in hand in the concluding race at Newbury.
Sunday was a day that organisers at the Vine & Craven will considers a lucky escape. The all-day rain put paid to fixtures at Buckfastleigh and Howick, and might readily have done the same at Barbury, had the meeting not already been withdrawn.
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