This year saw a typically competitive 17-runner field go to post for this 2m½f Premier Handicap affair. Secret Squirrel headed the market for Hughie Morrison following an impressive success at Windsor in January. The lightly raced Nicky Henderson mare, Joyeuse, Alan King’s Scottish Champion Hurdle winner, Favour And Fortune, and course and distance winner, Navajo Indy, were the only runners available at single-figure prices.
Rosyth, who won the first two editions of this in 1963 and 1964, remained the only dual winner heading into the 2025 edition, but we had two former champs bidding to put that right. 2023 winner Aucunrisque was handicapped to go well for Chris Gordon, whilst defending champ Iberico Lord had a 10lb higher mark this time and was passed over in favour of Joyeuse by Nico de Boinville.
Others to note included Lump Sum, who stepped down in class from Grade 1 company for Sam Thomas; Grade 2 winner Minella Missile, who looked interesting dropping down in trip; and Olly Murphy’s Go Dante, who finished third in the 2024 edition.
Result
- 1st – Joyeuse 9/2, Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- 2nd – Lump Sum 16/1, Jockey: Dylan Johnston, Trainer: Sam Thomas
- 3rd – Navajo Indy 6/1, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: Tom Symonds
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £87,218.50
- 2nd – £32,860
- 3rd – £16,445.50
- 4th – £8,215
- 5th – £4,123
- 6th – £2,061.50
- 7th – £1,023
- 8th – £527
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £5.70
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.70, 2nd – £3.80, 3rd – £1.90
- Exacta – £113.50
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £75.06
- Trifecta – £925.30
- Tricast – £463.41
Recap
As is usually the case in this event, the field set off at a good gallop, headed by Josh The Boss, Mirabad, and Fiercely Proud. Josh The Boss just edged the lead approaching the second flight. Mirabad remained prominent, followed by Secret Squirrel and Joyeuse, who had gained a nice early position towards the far side. Go Dante, Minella Missile, and Williethebuilder brought up the rear in the early stages.
Moving into the back straight, Luke Scott and Mirabad injected a little pace into the race to move around four lengths clear at the head of affairs. Josh The Boss sat second in the strung-out field, with Fiercely Proud and Minella Missile already beginning to struggle.
There as little change in the order on the approach to the home turn. Mirabad led and had now moved around six lengths clear of the field. King William Rufus travelled nicely into second, with Secret Squirrel third, just ahead of Joyeuse, who began to catch the eye in the second colours of JP McManus. Looking further back, previous winners Aucunrisque and Iberico Lord appeared to be finding it hard work, but Lump Sum and Go Dante were beginning to make progress through weakening rivals.
Over the second last, Mirabad’s exertions took their toll, with the long-time leader dropping back through the field. King William Rufus and Secret Squirrel began to launch their finishing efforts, but there, on the far side, came Joyeuse, cruising into contention under a near-motionless de Boinville.
Moving into a two-length lead over the last, the strapping grey mare powered clear to win by a widening eight lengths. The unfortunate Secret Squirrel fell at the last, leaving it to Lump Sum to grab second. Navajo Indy did the best of those to come with a late run and took third.
It was a record-extending seventh win in the race for Nicky Henderson, who bolstered his mighty record in the two-mile hurdle division. Having picked up his first success with Iberico Lord in 2024, Nico de Boinville made it two in a row.
Runners
- 1. Lump Sum – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Sam Thomas, Jockey: Dylan Johnston
- 2. Iberico Lord – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Freddie Gordon
- 3. Favour And Fortune – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
- 4. Minella Missile – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Evan Williams, Jockey: Adam Wedge
- 5. Fiercely Proud – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Ben Pauling, Jockey: Ben Jones
- 6. Our Champ – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Chris Gordon, Jockey: Rex Dingle
- 7. Beat The Bat – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Harry Fry, Jockey: Bryan Carver
- 8. Washington – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Harry Derham, Jockey: Paul O’Brien
- 9. Aucunrisque – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Chris Gordon, Jockey: Freddie Gingell
- 10. Givemefive – Non-Runner
- 11. Josh The Boss – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Mr Jamie Neild
- 12. Secret Squirrel – SP: 100/3F, Trainer: Hughie Morrison, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 13. Mirabad – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole, Jockey: Luke Scott
- 14. Williethebuilder – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Kielan Woods
- 15. Go Dante – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Olly Murphy, Jockey: James Bowen
- 16. Navajo Indy – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Tom Symonds, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- 17. Joyeuse – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 18. Joyeuse – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Chris Gordon, Jockey: Charlie Maggs
Non Runners
Givemefive (unsuitable ground)