Trainer Jessica Macey will have plenty to smile about on the drive home after Jenever (33-1) produced a shock victory in the Download The PricedUp App Grassroots Series Final Sprint Handicap, denying her husband, jockey Lewis Edmunds, in a dramatic family finish.
Macey, who sent out both Jenever and the more fancied Blind Beggar (12-1) for the £30,000 six-furlong feature, watched her long-shot charge break sharply from the gates before digging deep under George Wood to hold off Hoodie Hoo, trained by Charlie Hills and part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, by a head.
“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said a delighted Macey afterwards. “If either of them had won, I’d have been happy — I didn’t mind which one! Jenever’s a bit older and wiser now, and maybe he just needed the blinkers. I told George not to think of him as our second string — he had every chance, and he’s proved that.”
With Edmunds aboard Blind Beggar and Wood steering Jenever, there was bound to be some light-hearted tension in the Macey household after the finish. Jessica laughed, “Lewis chose the one in better form recently, so it made sense, but luckily I’m the one driving the horsebox home tonight!”
Grassroots Glory for Carroll and Doughty
The PricedUp Grassroots Finals Day celebrates hardworking connections competing below the elite tier, offering £166,000 in total prize money across seven contests. One yard to make full use of that opportunity was Tony Carroll’s, whose evergreen Annexation (7/1) landed the Grassroots Series Middle Distance Final Handicap over a mile and a quarter.
The nine-year-old, fresh off a win at Bath on Tuesday, struck again thanks to a clever ride from Jack Doughty, denying Ciara Pearl in the final strides.
Carroll, notching his 99th winner of the year, said: “He’s thriving. That Bath win gave him confidence, and Jack’s given him a cracking ride. It’s a great prize and a fine bit of placing! We’re ahead of schedule this year — one more and that’s 100 again.”
Young Fentiman Hits Career Milestone
Among the day’s emotional highlights was 17-year-old Warren Fentiman’s milestone 50th career victory, achieved aboard Orangesandlemons (16-1) in the PricedUp Grassroots Series Mile Final Handicap.
Riding for Edward Bethell, the young jockey showed composure beyond his years, guiding the filly home by a neck.
“She’s a real trier,” said Fentiman. “She kept calm when the horse beside her got upset, travelled beautifully, and gave me everything when I asked. I’ve been waiting a month for that 50th winner — so this feels really good.”
Mason and Expressionless Deliver in the Stayers’ Final
Another notable success came for Jo Mason, who produced a perfectly judged ride on Expressionless (13-2) to land the PricedUp The Flat Grassroots Series Stayers’ Final Handicap over a mile and three quarters for trainer Dylan Cunha.
“He’s such a legend,” Mason said. “He relaxed beautifully, travelled strongly, and when I asked, he found plenty. These grassroots days are brilliant — they give so many horses and jockeys the chance to shine.”
Read more exclusive racing stories on RaceBuzz.
Visit The Jockey Club for official race details and updates.
