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Page last updated at 16:53 GMT, Saturday, 21 February 2009

Nacarat claims Racing Post Chase

Tony McCoy and Nacarat win the Racing Post Chase at Kempton
Tony McCoy and Nacarat win the Racing Post Chase at Kempton

Tony McCoy and Nacarat stormed to victory by nine lengths from Possol in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.

The 10-1 shot, trained by Tom George, left the field trailing with Paul Nicholls's 7-2 favourite Big Fella finishing third ahead of Hold Em.

"It was a good performance and in fairness to Tom he said to go out and make it," said McCoy.

"I was able to dictate after half a mile. The ground helped him get the trip and make it more of a speed race."

George added: "I am really pleased to train a horse like this and I am grateful to the owners for sending him to me - he has done us proud.

"The change in him from when he arrived from France has been enormous. He was narrow and angular when he came over and has taken a while to fill out.

"I thought he was very good and did enter him in the King George, which some people laughed at me for.

"He won't go to Cheltenham as he doesn't like racing downhill. Aintree is a possibility but I just want to the day."

Rider Mark Bradburne said of the Henry Daly-trained runner-up: "He jumped really well but they went a hell of a pace around the first circuit and I was hard at him from a long way out. He did pick up in the end and he seems to be progressive."

Nicholls was happy enough with the effort of Big Fella, and insists that all roads now lead to Aintree.

"We were worried about the ground drying up all week but he has run a cracking Grand National trial," said Nicholls. "He did not have the tactical speed for Kempton but he can miss Cheltenham and we have five weeks to Aintree."



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see also
Nicholls targets Festival success
19 Feb 09 |  Horse Racing
Dancer given Aintree top weight
10 Feb 09 |  Horse Racing
BBC racing coverage
09 Apr 11 |  Horse Racing


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