Getaway Celebrates Saturday Big Race Double

Saturday saw Grange Stud sire Getaway celebrate a big race double, led by the Grade 2 success of Newtide (7g Getaway - C’Est Fantastique, by Hernando) in the Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby.

Twice a winner over hurdles, the Kim Bailey-trained gelding made a winning chase debut on his seasonal return in November. Reunited with David Bass on Saturday, he raced prominently and was asked to challenge approaching the third last. Leading at the final fence, he was pushed out to win by four lengths and a quarter.

Owned by Lady Dulverton and bred by Allan and Mrs Chambers, Newtide was bought by Highflyer Bloodstock for €100,000 after finishing second on his sole start for Colin Bowe.

The Charles Byrnes owned and trained Thosedaysaregone (7g Getaway - Gonearethedays, by Be My Native) continued a fine day for Getaway when producing a late challenge to win the €140,000 Grade B Ladbrokes Hurdle at Leopardstown.

22 lined up for the two mile contest on the opening day of the Dublin Festival, with Kevin Brouder riding Byrnes’ charge in mid-division. He made headway in the straight and after becoming short of room, switched right approaching the final flight, running on to win by a length and a quarter.

The Coral Cup is now on the agenda for Thosedaysaregone, who has won a bumper, over fences and now twice over hurdles. He was bred by David Speiran out of a half-sister to popular hunter chaser Uncle Junior.

The next day at Taunton, newcomer Windswept Girl (5m Getaway - Chicago Vic, by Old Vic) impressed when taking the bumper by 13 lengths under Rex Dingle.

The sole mare in the field, she was held up, before being pushed along from five furlongs out. Making headway on the turn for home, she led from the two furlong marker and stayed on well to the line. Trained by Anthony Honeyball, Windswept Girl was bred by Michael O’Donovan.