06 January 2024 , 17:42
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Dibble Decker landed a huge gamble in a thrilling finish to Wincanton's Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Chase.
Backed from 20-1 to 11-2, Tom Lacey's trainee had just enough in the tank to repel a brace of greys at the Somerset circuit. After racing for 2m 4f, long-time leader Georges Saint (2-1f) and veteran Iconic Muddle challenged strongly from its final fence.
The trio broke away from the other four runners up the straight – and Dibble Decker held on by half-a-length for Stan Sheppard. It was the jockey's 85th success for in-form Lacey, operating at a 38 per cent strike rate with his Herefordshire-based string.
The race, which carried a first prize of almost £14,000, became the day's feature after Sandown was abandoned. "He has been very good to me over the last four to five years," said Sheppard about his boss, who prepared their 2022 Betfair Hurdle hero Glory And Fortune.
"Dibble Decker is definitely much better with a lead. His first run of the season is always pretty poor, but he always improves for it." Lord Of Thunder (4-5f) earned a step up in grade by routing his four Virgin Bet Novices' Hurdle opponents.
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Joe Tizzard's six-figure purchase sluiced through deep mud to coast home by seven-and-a-half lengths. "He couldn't have done it much easier, the ground rides like good to soft on him," said rider Brendan Powell. "It's quite exciting and he has earned a right to step up in grade."
Tom Lacey trains Dibble Decker at his Ledbury stables (Getty)Rare Clouds handled conditions best to register a clear-cut victory in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle. A sloppy jump at its second last obstacle failed to halt the consistent ten-year-old's momentum. The 15-2 shot carried Dextra Dove's colours, a 1997 Grand National competitor after the renewal was postponed by a bomb scare.
"Owner Rupert Martin has been a great supporter, he gave me my first ever winner as a trainer and the last one as a jockey," said trainer Simon Earle. "This is what it's all about. We're so thrilled."