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Having kept Fr Humphrey for the winter season with a view to competing in the new conditional jockey veterans’ handicap chase series, this was the first step which was to get him qualified for the final.
With only six declared to run, Fr Humphrey only needed to finish to qualify but with him installed as joint-favourite overnight, we were obviously hoping for more. The official going was good, but it seemed plenty soft enough when we arrived on the course. There were eight BG Racing shareholders and guests at Huntingdon with, Phil joined by Lawrence, Rainer, Ewart, Paul Thorn and his son and Paul Northcott and his guest.
Our race was at 2.10 pm in the middle of the card and came around quickly, so we headed over to the saddling area. Neil’s travelling head lad Billy was with Fr Humphrey and our jockey Harry Reed was assisting with the saddling process as Neil was unable to be at the race. We were soon off to the paddock where we were joined again by Harry, this time in his capacity as jockey! We had agreed to pursue the same tactics as we had at Kempton in that we were happy to lead or settle just off the pace if something else wanted to go on at a decent pace. Early on Fr Humphrey was upsides the favourite Valadom and they were soon joined by Water Wagtail heading past the winning post for the first time. Harry ensured that Fr Humphrey had a good view of his fences and a result he jumped well throughout. Down the back straight, Water Wagtail took the lead but Humphrey was only a length off him on the inside and when Water Wagtail came across to the rail with a circuit to go, Harry switched Fr Humphrey outside so he still had a clear view of the fences and he was rewarded by a great jump at the ditch beyond the winning post.
Down the back for the last time, Fr Humphrey was sharing 2nd with Dandridge and Vendredi Trois, Valadom and Ultimatum Du Roy were looking in trouble as they started the turn for home. With Dandridge an uncertain stayer, I was hopeful of at least 2nd at this point and coming off the home turn it was certainly looking a two-horse race, but Water Wagtail looked to be going the better. Billy was standing next to me and was unconvinced that the leader had very much up his sleeve, although I was less convinced. Despite being a length down at the 2nd last, Humphrey was staying on well and things continued to look tight as Water Wagtail started to get more of a ride and they jumped the last upsides. The two settled down to a slow-motion battle up the run-in and it was a battle we won as Harry rode his 8th winner of the season.
We were quickly enjoying the post-race presentations and celebrations, winning a framed photo, a video card and a bottle of bubbly, along with a very nice amount of prize money! Fr Humphrey will be prepared for the final in March and we have a winter of anticipation looking forward to that.
