An engaging afternoon of National Hunt racing unfolded at Kempton Park Racecourse on Monday, March 23, where a well-balanced seven-race card showcased a mix of promising young hurdlers and seasoned chasers. The meeting was marked by notable riding performances and several horses stepping forward with confidence across varying distances.
The opening contest at 2:00 PM, a maiden hurdle over nearly two miles, saw Loustic du Chatel (FR) produce a composed performance under Tom Bellamy. Displaying fluency at his hurdles and a strong turn of foot in the closing stages, the French-bred runner asserted late on to secure a comfortable victory. It was a promising start to the card and hinted at further potential to come from the winner.
At 2:30 PM, the novices’ hurdle over an extended two and a half miles was claimed by Caspari, ridden by James Bowen. The gelding relished the step up in trip, travelling smoothly throughout before asserting control after the final hurdle. Bowen judged the pace well, ensuring his mount had enough in reserve to hold off challengers in the closing stages.
The 3:00 PM novices’ handicap hurdle saw Largy Panic (IRE) hand Tom Bellamy his second success of the day. In a competitive field, the gelding showed determination and consistency, keeping on strongly after the last flight. Bellamy’s confident ride ensured the horse maintained momentum, sealing victory with authority and further highlighting the jockey’s productive afternoon.
Steeplechasing action took centre stage at 3:30 PM in a handicap contest over just beyond two miles, where Southoftheborder (IRE) delivered a polished round of jumping under Paul O’Brien. The pair demonstrated excellent rhythm throughout, with accurate fencing proving decisive. The winner pulled clear approaching the final fence and stayed on strongly to register an impressive success.
The feature race of the afternoon came at 4:05 PM, a Class 3 handicap chase over three miles, where Es Perfecto (IRE) added another victory to Tom Bellamy’s tally. Producing a determined staying performance, the gelding handled the testing trip with confidence. Bellamy timed his challenge perfectly, asking for maximum effort late on and being rewarded with a resolute finish.
At 4:40 PM, the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle saw High Fibre (IRE) emerge victorious under Ciaran O’Shea. The pair combined effectively, with the rider delivering a well-measured effort. The horse responded gamely when challenged, showing resilience to edge ahead in the closing strides and secure the win.
The final race at 5:15 PM, an open hunters’ steeple chase, concluded the meeting on a high note as Thunder Rock (IRE) justified his experience under amateur rider Mr James King. Displaying assured jumping and stamina over the extended trip, the winner maintained a steady gallop and proved too strong for the opposition in the latter stages.
Overall, the Kempton Park meeting offered a compelling mix of emerging talent and established performers. Tom Bellamy stood out with multiple winners, underlining his effectiveness across both hurdles and fences. With several horses producing performances of note, the fixture highlighted the depth and competitiveness within National Hunt racing at this stage of the season.
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