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Star Performers of the Weekend – Coral Racing Club Members have their say

18 Oct 2023

As we edge closer to both the end of the flat season, and the start of the jumps season, we had another great weekend of racing with some standout performances across both disciplines. 

So on Monday we asked you, our Coral Racing Club members, to tell us who your Star Performers of the Weekend were and why.

On Friday, Chepstow kicked off their jump season with the highlight being CAPTAIN TEAGUE dominating the field in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle, before CITY OF TROY stole the show at Newmarket on Saturday, with an impressive performance in the Dewhurst. Meanwhile THE SHUNTER won his first flat race since May of last year in the valuable Cesarewitch Handicap, and NEMEAN LION impressed in the Welsh Champion Hurdle.

Check out what members had to say as we pick out some of the best entries below. 

Persian War Novices' Hurdle – Captain Teague


Chepstow had their first National Hunt meeting of the season this weekend, beginning on Friday with the highlight being the Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle. This year's Champion Bumper third place finisher, Captain Teague, went off as the odds-on favourite and didn't disappoint the punters as he stayed on well to stroll to success by over nine lengths. 

This performance caught the eye of some of our members, with Richard, from Jersey, saying that "he was well pressed but had all the answers". Meanwhile Tony, from Lancashire, was also stunned by the performance saying "it was a demolition. Nine lengths clear at the end, wow!". Was Captain Teague's streaking victory your favourite of the weekend?

Dewhurst Stakes – City Of Troy


Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore teamed up for yet another Group 1 success this weekend, with City Of Troy in the Dewhurst Stakes. Questions were being asked of the colt's ability to handle the ground before the race, but the heavy favourite made all of the running and stayed on well in the final furlong to go clear and win by an eventual three and a half lengths. 

City Of Troy was undoubtedly the most popular victory amongst our members this weekend, with 62% of respondents calling him their Star Performer. Alexander, from Merseyside, said "he looks an incredible beast of a two-year-old" and that he "could be another Frankel in the making". Whilst Anthony, from West Midlands, called it a "monstrous performance" and says "the possibilities are endless for this horse". Ian, from County Durham, rounds things off here with a question "Could City Of Troy be the next great?". What do you think?

Cesarewitch Handicap – The Shunter


The Shunter, a name that might be more familiar in the National Hunt sphere of racing, plugged on well to win the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket. This may not have been so much of a surprise to some, given the distance of the race and the soft going on the day. Nevertheless, he stayed on well to close down Pied Piper in the final stages and win the valuable contest carrying the famous green and gold silks of JP McManus. 

It was certainly a performance that caught the eye of our members, with several suggesting The Shunter as their Star Performer. Matthew, from Dorset, said that he was "perfectly ridden" whilst adding that it was more impressive given the "rain soaked ground". Were you impressed by The Shunter?

Welsh Champion Hurdle– Nemean Lion


Last but not least, Nemean Lion rounded out the weekend on Sunday with a solid win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. The six-year-old gelding travelled well throughout before regular partner Richard Patrick took him to the lead with three to jump and got him to stay on well to win by over a length. 

David, from London, believes that he's "showed that there's a bright future over jumps for him" meanwhile Marcus, from South Yorkshire, thinks that he's proved that he's "better than his former tag of Godolphin cast off". What do you think the future holds over obstacles for Nemean Lion?

Join us next Monday as we'll be back to ask you who your Star Performer of the Weekend was. 

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