Moroder victorious in the Grimthorpe Chase for a second time (JTW Equine Images
By Tom Williams
Sometimes the phrase “horses for courses” is well worth reminding yourself of.
For that was much the case on Town Moor on Saturday, and one that saw a fine performance more emphatic than before.
Not since the ultimately 3 time winner Damers Cavalry in 1992 had any horse won the Grimthorpe Chase more than once in their career.
And very much like that previous winner Moroder was regaining his title, having not turned up last year when the dour, relentless Does He Know took the prize to the Cotswolds.
Clearly, he was more than keen to take it back down south, back to his neck of the woods in Wiltshire and back from over the border where it was contained for 12 months.
Always prominent at the head of the affairs of the 3 and a quarter mile contest, he sat comfortable in third until the ditch at the top of the home bend, leaping past 2022 winner Undersupervision to take the running, and from then on he was simply not for stopping.
Another fine set of leaps pulled him 4 lengths clear after 2 out and onto the last, where he popped the last and strode home to win by a cosy 3 lengths under James Best to the 4/1F The Kniphand.
He had been sent off a 33/1 outsider after a less than stellar season so far, but was 6 pounds lower than his 2023 victory when starting, making all the difference as he crossed the line to an animated James Best.
He's done it again!
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 1, 2025
Moroder lands the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at @DoncasterRaces for a second time for @jamesbe19813630 and Seamus Mullins… pic.twitter.com/csMZxAN7rz
In much the same fashion as two years ago. A complete carbon copy.
Jubilant as ever, he was still animated as the victors were led into the winners enclosure, but it could be argued that it was not just ecstasy, but relief that they were showing.
The yard has only scored 6 winners all season prior to the off, but the trainer Seamus Mullins was adamant that this was a horse that was turning the corner at this time of year, much like the yard ahead of the big Spring festivals.
“He’s a spring horse”, he noted to the assembled media afterwards. “ (He’s) been crying out for that ground!”
“It’s good for the yard as we have had an in-and-out season”, he added. “But they are coming back now”, a much needed breath of fresh air it must be said for a yard that must have been more under the weather than a rain-dancer with a heavy cold.
Another piece of magic that may have added to the success was the decision to take the horse for a school around the Larkhill Point-to-Point course 4 weeks ago, just before the biggest meeting of their season in the Combined Services Point-To-Point.
“He was well prepared”, the trainer noted. And nobody could deny that.
Two years ago this trial for the Grand National was a springboard for a trip to Sandown for the Whitbread ( run as the Bet365 ) Gold Cup, and the trainer indicated that this would indeed by the plan for the horse.
“We will take our chance at Sandown again”.
The plan is to have another run somewhere beforehand and then head back to Esher for another crack at the end of season prize.
One person who would hope to be present for that day, and indeed aboard, would be the winning jockey James Best, who went on the dedicate his win to the owner Ann Leftley, who was otherwise engaged and not able to make the trip to Yorkshire.
“I’d like to say a massive thank-you to Ann who is at home cheering us on! That was for her!”
Whether they will be successful remains to be seen, but for a horse that comes to the boil at this time of year, it will give all connections a healthy lift for what has been a tough winter with until now little fruition.
However, there was a sad postscript to the evet as Monte Igueldo, who took a crashing fall at the sixth, suffered a fatal injury and was euthanised. Our condolences to Gary Hanmer Racing and all the connections at what is a difficult time.
