The 12-year old veteran Edwardstone took advantage of a weak Celebration Chase to win his first Grade 1 since 2022. With Il Etait Temps set for Punchestown and Jonbon a non-runner on the ground, it looked Solness’ race to lose.
Solness had no excuses, and it was a battle up the run-in between Edwardstone and JPR One. Speaking to Racing TV after the race, the winning trainer Alan King said: “That has to be one of my most emotional wins, it was very special. He’s been in great form, Plumpton sharpened him up and he had never been so quick in his life. Tom asked should I rev him up at the start and I said there is no need. The job was done at Plumpton and he’s been a different horse since.
“I said to Tom if you are a couple of lengths off him at the Pond Fence then we will have a hell of a chance. It’s a wonderful day and it was tremendous walking back in with him, the crowd were superb. He’s a special horse.”
The Kayf Tara veteran has now won 12 of his 42 races and added a fourth Grade 1 victory yesterday.
“This is why we do it, there are a lot of down days but this is right up with the best. We’ve not had a Grade One for a while so this is good. Perhaps his Grade One days were behind him, but with no Jonbon today and the tragedy down the back – and I’m sorry for their team – things opened up for us.
“We’re not discussing retirement today and I might finish before him. He’s been up our hill at home I would think thousands of times and he still attacks it every morning.”
Race dampened by ‘heartbreaking’ loss of Thistle Ask
Sadly, the ups and downs of racing were highlighted as the progressive Thistle Ask was fatally injured at four out. Very much like that of his trainer, he made relentless progress this season to be improved 45lbs by Dan Skelton. He ran a career best when second to Jonbon in the Clarence House, and had been saved for Sandown since.
Owner Terry McKeever paid just £11,000 for the son of Ask, who went on to give him some magnificent days. McKeever told the Racing Post: “I’m still trying to come to terms with Saturday. It was a crazy day for Dan and the team. And rightly so, but obviously for me personally, it was heartbreaking.
“Dan had protected the horse all season. He was teed up to win that yesterday. Then he’d have a nice rest before next season because these horses are like gold. He was out doing what he loved, no doubt about it. He was flying yesterday and I’ve got no end of superlatives for that horse.”