Vadamos Gelding Stakes Champion Chase Claims

Matata (7g Vadamos – Wattrey, by Royal Academy) earned his place in the Champion Chase when running out a hugely impressive winner of the Great Park Handicap Chase at Windsor’s valuable Berkshire Winter Millions meeting.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge was sent off favourite for the two-mile chase under JJ Slevin and raced prominently, before asserting approaching the third last. Shaken up at the second last, he was eased down on the run-in to score by ten lengths.

“He jumped well, which he always does,” the winning trainer commented. “We'll discuss plans with the owners but we could look at the Champion Chase. They might have another horse in the race though [El Fabiolo]. The other idea we have is the two-and-a-half-mile race at Aintree [Melling Chase], but hopefully we can do both.”

Matata is now five-time winner for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who bought the bay after he made a winning debut in a four-year-old maiden for David Murphy. The talented son of Vadamos is the best performer bred by David Commins out of Wattrey.