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Joyeuse Claims William Hill Hurdle at Newbury

In a spectacular display, Joyeuse clinched the William Hill Hurdle title at Newbury, ensuring that the prestigious trophy remains with Nicky Henderson’s stable. The grey mare comes from the same lineage as Epatante, and like her distinguished relative, she is owned by JP McManus. Henderson and jockey Nico de Boinville had previously secured victory in this race with Iberico Lord last season, and opted to ride Joyeuse this time, despite Iberico Lord also being in the race.

Starting the race as a 9-2 shot, Joyeuse thrived on the soft ground and fast-paced conditions, showcasing her ability by pulling away decisively in the final stretch to finish eight lengths ahead of Lump Sum, trained by Sam Thomas.

Following her performance, bookmakers have revised Joyeuse’s odds for the County Hurdle to 8-1, although she currently lacks the necessary qualification to compete in a handicap at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. Henderson reflected positively on Joyeuse’s race, stating, “She looked really good there; she travelled well, jumped well, and did everything right.” He noted the mare’s perfect positioning throughout the race and expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was just perfection.”

Henderson emphasized the effectiveness of stepping back in distance for this race and acknowledged the advantageous conditions provided by the ground. However, he described a dilemma regarding the lack of qualifications for the Cheltenham Festival, saying, “It’s caused a dilemma but it’s a good problem.” This victory marked Henderson’s seventh win in this particular race, and he expressed gratitude for the continued support of local sponsorship by William Hill.

De Boinville, who was thoroughly impressed with Joyeuse’s performance, criticized the current rules that prevent her from participating in the Cheltenham handicap, calling it “madness.” He pointed out the irony in being able to win a significant race and still be ineligible for the festival, highlighting the disparity in prize money.

Master Chewy’s Triumph in Game Spirit Chase

In another highlight of the day, Master Chewy demonstrated his resilience by securing victory in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. The eight-year-old, under the guidance of trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son Sam, achieved a commendable win at odds of 11-1 in a race where Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten Sir Gino was initially favored but a non-runner.

Master Chewy capitalized on the shift in race dynamics, claiming his first win since 2023 with a solid performance, finishing one and a quarter lengths ahead of Libberty Hunter. Despite being sent off as the 11-8 favorite, Matata, a stablemate of Master Chewy, faltered in the final stages, allowing Master Chewy to break free and secure the victory. Following the race, bookmakers substantially lowered Master Chewy’s odds for the Champion Chase to 33-1 from 66-1, though Twiston-Davies suggested that the longer Ryanair Chase might be a more fitting target for his horse.

The trainer praised Master Chewy’s abilities and acknowledged the support of his owners, Anne-Marie and Jamie Shepperd, while noting that the competition had been fierce. As for Matata, Twiston-Davies suggested that the horse might have been a bit fatigued from a previous race but still remains a contender for the Champion Chase.

Evan Williams, trainer of Libberty Hunter, expressed optimism for the future, stating that the horse performed admirably and could potentially enter the Champion Chase field as well. He added that the horse may prove to be more competitive on the Cheltenham course given its unique challenges.

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