Wetherby round-up: Magistrato on top in Bobby Renton

Magistrato breezed to Bobby Renton Handicap Chase glory as he came out on top in his match with Mahons Glory at Wetherby.

Deborah Cole’s seven-year-old was up another 11lb for his most recent win at Bangor but was in complete control throughout the one-on-one battle under Sean Bowen.

Mahons Glory, trained by Dylan Cunha, challenged for much of the way over the two miles and three furlongs, but he faded on the final straight as Magistrato won by 31 lengths to justify his tag as 8-15 favourite and pick up first prize of £8,449.60.

“He’s good now,” Cole said after winning the feature race. “It’s taken a while to get him settled and concentrate, but it’s paid off.

“Not sure where we will go next. It’s all going to be ground dependent because he’s only a good ground horse, he won’t want anything else.”

There was another two-horse shootout in the concluding Wetherby Racecourse Supporting Spinal Research ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners Chase as Old Gregorian took advantage of Secret Trix’s fall late on.

Bowen was unseated after the fourth-last fence as the pair battled for the lead, handing the victory to the Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore gelding, who was untidy over the final obstacle, at a price of 7-4.

Assistant trainer Peter Scudamore said: “He (Derek Fox, jockey) was very pleased with him.

“He’s a hurdler going jumping. He thinks he’s got a bright future over fences.”

Sir Tivo (14-1) produced a gutsy performance to claim the Mary Lofthouse Supporting Spinal Research Handicap Steeplechase.

Gary Hanmer’s 11-year-old led from the front, at one point by more than 30 lengths, and held off the challenge from Torneo and Primoz before finding a second wind to win by four and a quarter lengths.

“He’s tough isn’t he? His jumping won it for him,” a delighted Hanmer said. “He’s fabulous. Today was the target and it’s paid off.”

Destination Dubai (1-4) needed a strong finish to overcome Herja in the Boyle Sports, Home Of The Early Payout Novices’ Hurdle to prevail by two lengths.

“We were very happy with it, we haven’t done a whole lot with him at home. We’ve plenty of improvement. I’ll be pretty confident he’ll come on a ton for that,” joint-trainer David Killahena said.

“We’ll get him back and make sure everything is all right with him, and there’s a possibility of a Listed race at Haydock next month. We might aim for that as long as everything is OK.”

Genbu (7-2) was gifted victory in the Titan Private Wealth Powering Ambitions Juvenile Hurdle after Anaconda, who was leading by more than 20 lengths, fell at the last.

Trainer Sam England admitted: “He did everything wrong and still won. We were lucky. Hopefully he can learn from this.”

Ollie Pears’ Max Of Stars (9-2) made all as he held off Paddys Policy by one and a half lengths in the Flipit Sell Your Car Better Handicap Hurdle.

Kiss My Face (4-1) triumphed in the Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle for trainer Alastair Ralph and jockey Joe Anderson.