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Pauling soars at Doncaster

Smart Freddy (left) ridden by Nico de Boinville goes onto win the Play Sportinglife Pick 6 For Free Novices' Chase as Jamie Moore is unseated by Leo Luna.
Image: Smart Freddy (left) ridden by Nico de Boinville goes onto win the Play Sportinglife Pick 6 For Free Novices' Chase

A review of Friday's meeting at Doncaster as Smart Freddy won the Play Sportinglife Pick 6 For Free Novices' Chase.

Ben Pauling is beginning to make a name for himself as a trainer and Nicky Henderson's former assistant saddled a double at Doncaster with Smart Freddy and Ergo Sum.

Pauling, who only started out in his own right last season, teamed up with Nico de Boinville, who is best known as Sprinter Sacre's work rider but is also carving out a successful career and rode a Grade One winner on Coneygree over Christmas.

Smart Freddy (9-2) was involved in a battle with Gary Moore's Leo Luna in the straight but was just gaining the upper hand in the Play Sportinglife Pick 6 For Free Novices' Chase when Leo Luna fell at the last.

"I'm thrilled with that, it's great to have him back as he's missed large spells through injury," said Pauling.

"He's got a fantastic attitude and I still think we'd have won even if the other horse hadn't have fallen."

Ergo Sum (7-2 joint-favourite) won the Skybet Are You In? Novices' Handicap Chase despite jumping markedly right at several of his fences.

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"I'm very pleased. He jumped to his right but I think it's more mental than physical as he jumps some right and then at others he's straight as a die," Pauling told At The Races.

"Nico gave him a great ride as he looked beaten at the second last."

The star performer of the afternoon was Henderson's Days Of Heaven, who finally came of age with an assured victory in the Skybet Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Hurdle.

The 11-8 shot has shown more than a touch of character in the past, on occasions threatening not to jump off, but he looked a class act on Town Moore as he came home eight lengths clear of Engrossing.

Odds-in favourite Buckwheat faded into third.

"He has plenty of ability, he just needs to settle," said winning jockey Barry Geraghty.

"In fairness, he wasn't anywhere near as bad today, he was still a little bit on edge in the paddock but once he gets going he is fine.

"He's certainly got an engine and in time will jump a fence."

Jonjo O'Neill's string are back in form and he saddled the first two in the Follow Your Bets With Skybet Tracker Handicap Hurdle.

Tony McCoy steered 2-1 shot Spookydooky to a seven-length victory over stablemate At Reception.

"The bit better ground helped him today and he's hopefully progressive. I'd hope he could win again and that he'll jump a fence in time," said McCoy.

James Reveley looked to be on Rebecca Curtis' second string in the Skybet Home of The Price Boost Handicap Chase, but his mount Champagne Rian was a 20-1 winner, while Geraghty pulled up his stable companion Red Devil Lads, the 9-4 favourite.

A Vos Gardes (5-1), always highly regarded by Charlie Longsdon, got his career back on track in the Sportinglife My Stable Maiden Hurdle with a hard-fought win.

Wilson Renwick steered Donald McCain's 8-1 shot Nefyn Bay to victory in the Sky Bet's Mo Rattu Delivers Excellent Service Novices' Handicap Hurdle, but there was a sting in the tail for the rider.

The stewards found that the jockey had used his whip in the incorrect place, and, as it was the rider's fifth such suspension in six months, he was referred to the British Horseracing Authority.

EXTRA PLACE on the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster (3.15)!

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