Gunther races to Post glory

Gunther McBride turned the ultra-competitive Racing Post Chase into a procession at Kempton today.

The 5-1 chance, who was only allowed to take his chance after the original top weights came out of the race at the final declaration stage, came home 17 lengths clear of his nearest pursuers, Eau de Cologne and Mr Baxter Basics.

Tremallt set a searching gallop in the Stg£90,000 contest, and even after just the first few fences, there was 30 lengths between last and first.

It looked for a long way as if the well-backed favourite, Lord of The River, was going to land a sizeable ante-post gamble, but a bad mistake at the open ditch six fences from home spoiled his chance and he eventually faded to finish fifth of the six finishers.

Gunther McBride, who took up the running under Richard Johnson at the 13th fence, looked to have a race on his hands as Mr Baxter Basics came round the bend in his slipstream, apparently travelling on the bridle.

But Johnson asked his mount toquicken again and the response was dramatic. Eau de Cologne (25-1) stayed on doggedly to take the runner-up spot from Mr Baxter Basics (14-1) by a short head.

'I don`t think it was the best Racing Post Chase ever but he has done it really well,' smiled the jockey, winning the race for the third successive year.

'He`s not big but he was good at his fences and it`s been a pleasure to ride him.'

The winner now has the option of running in either the William Hill Chase or the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival.

Among the many casualties in the race was top-weight Red Striker, who was pulled up on the first circuit after jockey Richard Guest feared he had broken down.

Happily, the horse returned apparently unscathed to his box after the race.

Ferdy Murphy`s hopes in the race, Luzcadou and Occold, also failed to sparkle. Luzcadou unseated his rider at the fourth fence and Occold was pulled up, having broken loose in the pre-race parade.