It's simple for Simon as Modeligo claims another Stratford success

OWNER Simon Gegg’s Modeligo made it two wins over the Stratford course when taking the big race at Sunday’s Inspire Racing Club sponsored Riverside Raceday, writes David Hucker.

All but one of the 11 entries had stood their ground in the feature £10,000 Inspire Insurance Services Handicap Chase, including course winners Accessallareas and Deise Vu.

They took each other on from the start, setting a blistering pace, but had nothing left to give as the pack closed, with top-weight Mercian King and favourite Box Office looking the likely winners.

But, it was another course winner Modeligo, unable to go the fast early pace, who was making progress with Stan Sheppard, and he picked up the front two to stay on strongly and put his disappointing run at Warwick two weeks ago behind him.

Three-time champion jockey Richard Johnson could well have a battle on his hands to land another title this season, as he trails early leader Harry Skelton after the first two weeks.

Johnson came into the meeting with nine winners, but Skelton, backed by his brother Dan, had already clocked up 21 successes as he headed to the afternoon’s other jumps meeting at Market Rasen.

Johnson had taken 66 rides before the opener at Stratford, but his winning ratio of 14 per cent is his lowest for 23 years. Skelton has had six fewer rides but, by contrast, has a strike rate of 36 per cent which has propelled him into the early lead.

Last season, Dan led the trainers’ championship, which is decided on prize money rather than winners, into November and, whilst it is the quality of his string that will determine his chances of being champion one day, for Harry it is the number that hit the target that counts.

Johnson was on board Flynnvincible for Wilmcote trainer Olly Murphy in the opening Inspire Racing Club Novices' Hurdle and this strapping horse had every chance as the three runners turned for home with nothing between them.

But, it was the outsider The Drone, who had led from the start with Sam Twiston-Davies, who found more when needed, beating favourite Henry’s Joy with Flynnvincible, whose jumping wasn’t always foot-perfect, back in third.

Johnson got on the scoreboard courtesy of Miss Adventure in the Ford Allen Mares' Novices' Selling Hurdle, looking over his shoulder for non-existent dangers in the home straight.

Despite being pulled up at Kempton Park last time, Miss Adventure was sent off the 1-3 favourite and came home a long way clear of Geni Johnson, being bought back by connections for £3,000 at the post-race auction.

He nearly made it two in the novices’ chase, sending Celestial Magic clear early in the race, but he was being tracked going to the last fence by Allelu Alleluia, who overcame an 11-month absence to score for Aidan Coleman and trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

Upper Lambourn trainer Warren Greatrex provided Johnson with his last chance of the day with The Wolf in the National Hunt Flat Race but, despite being sent off the 13-8 favourite, he never looked like winning, as £105,000 purchase Strike InMilan powered past the front-running Magical Miss inside the last furlong in the familiar colours of Roger Brookhouse.

Six lined up for the long-distance handicap hurdle and there was another duel up front as Victor Leudorum and Generous Chief took the others along at a good pace.

By the time the runners turned out of the back straight, Generous Chief and Bryony Frost were on their own with Join The Clan, who has steadily dropped down the handicap and looked to be on a competitive mark after a break, in hot pursuit.

But, although the two jumped the final flight together, it was Generous Chief who asserted on the short run-in to bring up Frost’s fifth win of the season and her 57 career success.

For the 100 members of the Inspire Racing Club enjoying the day, there was special interest in the Adrian Wintle trained Rocket Ronnie in the Zoe's Place Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. Always prominent, he couldn’t go the pace when Gaelic Flow kicked for home, bidding to be another winner for Frost.

But, as they headed towards the last, Harry Stock was closing the gap on Mr Mafia and they jumped the flight in front, seeing off the challenge of 33-1 shot The Mad Well by four and a half lengths with Gaelic Flow, running his best race so far, a creditable third.