"Itoldyou he could cope!"

 

In a competitive race at Newbury today, Itoldyou started the 5/1 4th favourite of the five runners in the 3 mile 2 furlong amateur riders handicap chase.  It was a step up in class both in terms of opposition and fences so in many ways was a test of his abilities.  Jockey Danny Burton dropped Itoldyou in at the rear as the field set off on the soft ground.  He jumped well on the first circuit but he was hampered by an unseated rider at the first in the back straight on the second circuit.  It seemed to affect him as he made mistakes at the next two fences.  He stayed last of the four remaining runners until entering the home straight where he was given a reminder by the jockey.  He responded to this and took the lead over the big open ditch three from home.  He was a little untidy at the last two fences but still held the lead.  After the last the favourite got up and passed him but he kept going to hold onto second place, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner and a length and a half ahead of the third.   He earned over £1700 for his owners , Valence Racing Too, in this Class 3 race and gave them a great day out.