An excellent ride from Brian Hughes leads Doddiethegreat over the line to win the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle in a Nicky Henderson 1-2 as favourite Jeriko Du Reponet comes second after a poor jump at the final hurdle.
An emotional win for all those associated with the late rugby player Doddie Weir as all winnings from the race will go toward his foundation.
Results:
1st: Doddiethegreat (18/1)
2nd: Jeriko Du Reponet (5/1)
3rd: Catch Him Derry (10/1)
Jockey Reaction- Brian Hughes
“It’s been a while, winners have been few and far between for me but I was happy when Mr Henderson office rang my agent.
“I rode him in Haydock on a busy Saturday about a month ago, and he ran well, but we was always hoping he would actually produce it.
“To be fair to Nico (De Boinville) he always said he had loads of life, it was a little alien to me as I like to ride to the inner, but he got in a good old rhythm.
“I was getting there sooner than I wanted but I had a willing partner.
“I got a lot of stick through the years for missing the festival, but the simple truth is I didn’t have anything good enough to come here for… I can’t started getting too greedy.”
Trainer Reaction- Nicky Henderson
“He’s named after the great Doddie Weir and all of money goes to the Doddie Weir foundation.
“He had the most horrible overreach and he had to go and spend 18 months at Kenny’s barn in Scotland, he had a nice time up there we lost Kenny, it didn’t look like he would ever get back to a racecourse but it has been worth it.
(On Jonbon and Constitution Hill) “They are okay, they’ve got nicks and cuts and Jonbon has got a bit of a sore eye I am not sure why but a lot better this morning than last night so they are all okay and ready for the next step.”
