TRAINER Nigel Twiston-Davies was in the winners enclosure twice at Warwick on Saturday afternoon as his talented six-year-old Flying Angel scooped the feature Betway Kingmaker Chase.
It was the Naunton-based trainer’s first success in the race since Arctic Kinsman powered home to success under Carl Llewellyn 21 years ago in 1996.
Favourite Gino Trail made the running and jumped boldly throughout, though 7/2 chance Flying Angel soon pulled level with Paul Townend’s mount and the pair hit the last jump together.
It proved to be a family affair as Nigel’s son, Willie, took the ride on Flying Angel – while Willie’s brother Sam tasted success in Newbury on board Ballyandy in the Betfair Hurdle.
Willie was replacing the currently injured Ryan Hatch, who broke bones in his neck, fractured his sternum, and was left with a haematoma on his spinal cord, following a fall on Cogry at Cheltenham in December.
Hatch, who is based at the Twiston-Davies yard, was present to watch Flying Angel come home – much to the joy of many racing fans.
Elsewhere on the card local trainer Dan Skelton was back in familiar territory when Aintree My Dream landed the opener under a confident ride from Bridget Andrews.
The even money favourite won from the front and was unchallenged in the closing 200yards as nearest rival Buster Thomas finished 12 lengths adrift.
Sean Bowen made a quick dash by helicopter from Warwick to land the concluding race at Newbury, and the journey proved worthwhile as the youngster also won on Ron’s Dream in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.
Battling with favourite Jessber’s Dream, Ron’s Dream only got the better in the final furlong and pulled clear to win by six lengths – despite a questionable round of jumping.
Catching On just prevailed in the afternoon’s fifth race for Jonjo O’Neil while the concluding two races were won by Belami Des Pictons and Catchin Time in rapidly fading light.
Warwick next race on Friday (February 24) as the course hosts its annual Budbrooke Chase event.
Visit warwick.thejockeyclub.co.uk/events-tickets/whats-on/ to purchase tickets, which are priced from just £10 per person.
