Wetherby Evaluation: You Wear It Well emerges victorious against Luccia
Astonishing Victory for You Wear It Well at Wetherby!
In a thrilling comeback, Cheltenham Festival heroine You Wear It Well emerged victorious in the bet365 Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby. Jamie Snowden’s talented mare showcased her prowess by leading from start to finish, leaving her competitors trailing behind.
You Wear It Well had an outstanding season last year, winning four out of six races including the prestigious Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March. She also secured second place in the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
Entering as a strong contender with odds of 2-1 in Listed company, she faced tough competition from Nicky Henderson’s Luccia who was favored at 11-8. However, it quickly became clear that this was a head-to-head battle between You Wear It Well and Luccia as they sprinted towards the finish line.
Although Luccia seemed to have the upper hand momentarily, You Wear It Well showed incredible determination and refused to falter under pressure. Jockey Gavin Sheehan guided her expertly and crossed the line three lengths ahead of their rival.
“It’s truly special,” expressed Snowden after the race. “Despite carrying a penalty for those Grade Two wins last season, she proved herself once again on her first outing this year. She possesses immense strength and spirit.”
He further praised jockey Gavin Sheehan for his exceptional ride: “You Wear It Well can be quite spirited and requires a skilled rider. Gavin did an outstanding job. She jumped flawlessly throughout the race, except for a minor stumble at the last hurdle, and displayed remarkable speed and endurance.”
You Wear It Well’s triumphant performance has prompted several bookmakers including Paddy Power, Betfair, and Coral to reduce her odds to 8-1 for claiming another victory at the Cheltenham Festival in March next year.
Snowden revealed that they have decided to keep You Wear It Well within mares’ company rather than pursuing a chasing career this season. He outlined their plans: “The mares’ hurdle program offers better opportunities compared to the mares’ chase events. We are keen on staying in races exclusively for female horses such as Sandown, Warwick, and ultimately Cheltenham in March.”
Botox Has Triumphs in Grueling West Yorkshire Hurdle
In an awe-inspiring display of stamina, Botox Has delivered Caoilin Quinn his most significant triumph yet by winning the challenging bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.
Caoilin Quinn previously achieved success with Gary Moore’s seven-year-old gelding when they won a valuable handicap hurdle on the Betfair Chase undercard at Haydock last season. Botox Has is also known for his victory in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell under Josh Moore.
After a hiatus since finishing fourth in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier this year, Botox Has returned with determination. Despite not being able to utilize his claim allowance due to competing in Grade Two company, Quinn demonstrated exceptional riding skills throughout.
The spotlight before the race was on two high-class stayers – Thyme Hill from Philip Hobbs’ stable and Dashel Drasher trained by Jeremy Scott.
Dashel Drasher assumed his customary position at the front, but it was evident that he struggled with the demanding conditions. Similarly, Thyme Hill, one of the joint-favorites at 7-4, couldn’t make a significant impact on the grueling ground.
Botox Has (15-2) faced an early challenge in the straight but showcased tremendous resilience. Overcoming a slight error at the final hurdle, he ultimately triumphed over Red Risk by a length. Dashel Drasher held off Thyme Hill to secure third place narrowly.
Quinn expressed his elation after this extraordinary achievement: “It’s beyond belief; words fail me. Botox Has demonstrated incredible toughness today despite carrying weight compared to other contenders.”
He further commented on ground conditions affecting Botox Has’ performance: “I initially thought he would enjoy soft ground as usual, but for some reason, he didn’t travel as smoothly as when I rode him at Haydock. The challenging terrain tested his mettle.”