The Berkshire Winter Million Festival got underway on Friday from Windsor. The feature on day one was the Grade 2 Lightening Novices Chase sponsored by Fitzdares. The two-mile event attracted just three runners and the market was headed by the Dan Skelton trained Be Aware who had finished runner up the last twice to Lulamba at Sandown and July Flower at Cheltenham. Be Aware owned by Andrew Cohen was to be the bridesmaid again as the Ben Pauling trained No Questions Asked came from well off the pace, challenged two out and stayed on to win a length.
Sam Twiston- Davies rode a double for his father and brother on the card while the two-mile handicap hurdle saw places reversed from a valuable race at Ascot just before Christmas. Wilful was the winner in December but on this occasion the Tom Dascombe trained and David Bass ridden Hot Fuss battled hard to take revenge off the same mark while Wilful carried a seven-pound penalty for his previous victory. I think the form of this race will turn out to be good.
The second day saw the action transferred to Ascot and the card was competitive. The Juvenile Hurdle saw the Fay Bramley trained Winston Junior make all for an impressive win. The Grade 2 Mares Hurdle had only four runners and the outsider of the field prevailed. The Ben Clarke trained Ooh Betty made every yard under an inspired ride by Ben Jones to hold favourite La Conquiere by half a length.
The Sam Thomas trained Vincenzo deservedly took a nice prize here after honourable efforts at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power and more recently the December Gold Cup. The Grade 1 Clarence House Chase saw Il Etait Temps go off at 2/5. Thistle Ask made most until two out where the favourite fell under pressure after not jumping with any real fluency in the race. Jonbon who had dropped back to third came again to win going away under James Bowen. Nicky Henderson was visibly emotional post-race and was lovely to see.
Up at Haydock the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices Hurdle saw Old Park Star follow up his Kempton and Cheltenham victories by 18 lengths under Nico de Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson. This performance made the winner the 9/4 favourite for the festival opener, the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Only six runners went to post for the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase and this provided a thrilling finish when Imperial Saint just denied Richmond Lake by a neck. The Hobbs/White trained winner was superbly ridden by Callum Pritchard who won his last race 13 months ago off a four pounds lower mark.
Back to Windsor for the third and final day of the Berkshire Million Festival and the feature race was Fleur De Lys Chase. The eleven-year-old Protektorat made most over the two miles six-furlong trip under Harry Skelton for trainer Harry fending off Sean Bowen and Resplendent Grey. This victory made the winner pass the one million pound mark in career prize money! The Grade 2 Hampton Novice Chase provided another great finish when the Garry and Josh Moore trained Salver prevailed and justified favouritism under stable jockey Caoilin Quinn beating Doyen Quest four and a half lengths.
The concluding bumper saw another Skelton winner making it three on the card and the Major thinks the form of this race is strong. Watch out for the placed horses here!