Grand Geste
Grand Geste was seriously impressive in winning the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock on the last Saturday before Christmas. Sent to the front from flagfall by Danny McMenamin, he was quickly into his racing rhythm. He had his main market rival Saladin's Son for company for most of the race but, when his rider gave him a squeeze at the top of the home straight, he quickly came away from that rival and put the race to bed. He was as good over the final two fences as he had been over most of the other 17, and he readily came away from his rivals and won by six and a half lengths from the gallant My Silver Lining, who stayed on well to take second place.
Grand Geste had never won before, but he had been just beaten on his previous run at Newcastle by Alcedo, who ran well next time at Doncaster off a 6lb higher mark. That was just his second chase, he obviously stepped forward from that here, and he obviously appreciated the step up in trip to an extended three miles, as appeared likely. His jumping here was very good for such an inexperienced chaser, as it had been at Newcastle, and, still only six, he retains plenty of scope for progression as a staying chaser. He was 2lb out of the handicap here, he was racing off a mark of 119, 7lb higher than his Newcastle mark, and the handicapper raised him by another 10lb for this win, but he will still be of interest wherever he goes next. The Peter Marsh Chase, back at Haydock, looks like an ideal next step.
Haydock, 20th December 2025
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