Vincenzo gains reward for string of consistent efforts

Vincenzo proved a worthy favourite when taking the bet365 Handicap Chase for Sam Thomas at Ascot.

The eight-year-old has hit the crossbar on his last three runs, most recently finishing the runner-up in both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the December Gold Cup – both at Cheltenham.

Under Dylan Johnston he was the 6-4 favourite to break the string of second places and in a field of nine he battled to get his head in front of Ben Pauling’s Bad and Dan Skelton’s Etalon to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

“He was good everywhere, he might have just appreciated going back right-handed, but he did it very well,” said Johnston.

“The other day I thought we couldn’t be beaten at the bottom of the hill (in the Paddy Power Gold Cup), but then Harry Skelton and Panic Attack came past us.

“Up to the last I was probably a bit indecisive, that was my fault, but hopefully I made up for it today.

“I’m very lucky, Mr Walters (Dai, owner) is obviously buying the right horses and supporting the game plenty so it’s great.”

Winston Junior made light work of the BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle.

The Faye Bramley-trained four-year-old had finished runner-up in both prior hurdle starts, bumping into a classy rival when chasing home Minella Study in a Cheltenham Triumph Trial last month.

Harry Cobden’s mount was the even-money favourite to get off the mark and add a hurdling victory to his CV, and gave connections only one moment of concern in an otherwise slick jumping performance en-route to a three-and-three-quarter-length win.

“He’s a nice horse. I just loved the way he’s had a look there in front but he’s still done plenty,” said Cobden to Sky Sports Racing.

“He’s got a lovely way of going, he’ll hopefully just keep improving from run to run now.

“He’s a nice horse to take forward.”

Ben Jones continued to enjoy a lucrative Winter Million meeting with success aboard The Jukebox Kid in the BetMGM Handicap Chase.

Trained by Pauling, the 13-8 favourite strode to a two-and-a-quarter-length success to keep the ball rolling for an in-form team.

“I’ve only sat on him the once and he gave me a lovely feel that day,” said Jones.

“He felt very similar day, he jumped brilliant and got into a lovely rhythm.

“I was never going too quick and every time something came to my girth up the back straight he just kept pushing along.”