26 May 2008 Stratford - Barteak Developments Hunters’ Chase
"I think I'm going to cry," was a delighted trainer Maz Scudamore's initial reaction to Reflector's victory in the hands of Alastair Ralph, for whom it was only a third ride under Rules.
There was no doubting the winner's good fortune, as Armaturk (Philip Hemmings) had come cruising alongside only to hit the deck at the last. Ironically, Alastair has worked for the past three seasons for Armaturk's handler Paul Nicholls.
Maz rides Reflector every day "even though I'm a double granny," she laughed, adding "He's very strong, or maybe I've just got weak."
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Steve Flook was delighted with the performance of runner-up Young Tot, who is now on the market, while Rupert Stearn was happy to have got round on third-placed Bob Justice. "He was always a better Hurdler than he was a Chaser, and the big fences here wouldn't be ideal," he explained, "but he likes a bit of cut so I was happy to see the rain."
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Nick Pearce, trainer-rider of Super Kay, who finished fourth, pronounced himself "thrilled to bits" with her run. The mare, whose owner Simon Tindall flew out to South Africa the previous day, was hampered on the run-in by the loose Armaturk, which Nick felt had cost her third place. The possibility of another outing before the end of the season has not been ruled out.
