Victtorino gives Deutsch and Williams another big Saturday strike

Charlie Deutsch and Venetia Williams notched yet another big winner when Victtorino was produced to lead right on the line to win the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase for the second successive year at Ascot.

He was sent off the 5-2 favourite having caught the eye in finishing third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, despite making several jumping errors that day.

While his jumping was not foot perfect again, Victtorino did save his best leap for last, when it really mattered.

The pace had been relentless throughout, with three horses helping set it in Trelawne, The Changing Man and Threeunderthrufive.

While that trio were exerting themselves, Deutsch, riding full of confidence after big race wins on Royale Pagaille, Martator, Gemirande and Djelo already this season, was happy to sit detached from the main group.

He gradually moved into contention and with three fences to jump he was fourth, with by now just The Changing Man out in front.

Running down to the last, it was all going to come down to the jumping and Deutsch saw a beautiful stride, which Victtorino agreed with, and they landed running, helping them win by half a length.

It was the second time this season Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man had been denied in a valuable Saturday event by Williams, having come off second best in the Rehearsal Chase behind Frero Banbou.

“I thought halfway up the run-in that he wasn’t going to get there, all credit to the second horse. He’ll be fed up with us because he’s seen our backsides the last two Saturdays he’s run,” said Williams.

“I think it (the ride) was absolutely fantastic. It wasn’t quite Paul Carberry, because he gets there with an intention of being last-minute, but that wasn’t Charlie’s intention. The intention would have been to get there earlier.

“The important thing is that he jumped better today. As soon as he jumped the first, he met it slightly long and then came up, I think we both thought we were in business.

“His jumping was so much better and that was key. If that had fallen apart, everything would have fallen apart.

“Ascot have got a series of these three-milers, I think there’s one at the meeting in January.”