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

01 Nov 2023
West End Boy
Despite it being another weekend of bad weather, which resulted in the cancellation of several meetings, there was still lots of exciting action to enjoy up and down the country from the likes of Cheltenham and Doncaster.

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

Ancient Wisdom was supplemented for the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, and justified that expense when he won in style at a short price. That was followed by Flooring Porter's fantastic chase debut at Cheltenham, where yet again he showed the tenacity that saw him win two Stayers' Hurdle crowns. And we couldn't talk about the Stars of the Weekend without mentioning the Coral Racing Club's very own West End Boy, who stormed home in his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton on Sunday. 

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

Kameko Futurity Trophy (14:10 Doncaster) – Ancient Wisdom


Ancient Wisdom was a late addition to the Kameko Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday for the Godolphin team and was immediately installed as the favourite for the race. Given the heavy ground at the South Yorkshire track, the pace was always going to be a steady one and the Charlie Appleby-trained colt was more than happy to lead them in the early stages. After getting headed by Dancing Gemini, William Buick battled to get him back up to lead with a furlong to race and Ancient Window stayed on well to win by almost two lengths. 

Our members were clearly impressed with the performance, with Stanley, from South Yorkshire, calling it a "great ride" before saying that he was "surprised by Ancient Wisdom's superiority". Steven, from Humberside, said that "he was so impressive" and that he "can't wait to see him in action next season". Finally, Keith, from Surrey, went further in his analysis saying that "his leg action exhibited a love for soft ground. If he gets it next year, there's no stopping him".

What do you think the future holds for Ancient Wisdom? 

Class 2 Novice Chase (16:10 Cheltenham) – Flooring Porter


Flooring Porter made his long awaited chasing debut at Cheltenham on Saturday, immediately being installed as favourite for his first time out over the larger obstacles. After leading, or disputing the lead, for most of the race, he faced a serious challenge from Broadway Boy two fences from home, before Nigel Twiston-Davies' gelding landed awkwardly after the penultimate fence. Flooring Porter went clear in the run in to make it a winning chase debut. 

Our members were clearly impressed by this performance, Andrew, from Cardiff, called it an "excellent chase debut". Darren, from West Midlands, was surprised by his performance, saying that "he didn't expect him to be able to jump so well".

How far can Flooring Porter go in his chasing career?
 
Class 4 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (13:10 Wincanton) – West End Boy


We couldn't talk about stars, without talking about the Coral Racing Club's very own superstar, West End Boy. After a long break, he returned to the track in some style, travelling into the race well in the hands of trainer Joe Tizzard's nephew, Freddie Gingell. Three from home the writing was on the wall as our five-year-old gelding started to make his move and when taking the second last in a share for first, you could see there would only be one winner. Our gelding streaked to a massive lead before the last and all he had to do was hop over it and get to the line, and he did so, taking the race by and eventual ten lengths. 

This was by far and away the most popular performance of the weekend, with 31% of responding members saying that he stood out the most. Paul, from Neath, hopes that there's "plenty more to come" after "he cruised clear to win unchallenged" and Malcolm, from Cornwall, was "grinning like a Cheshire cat" after the club got it's first winner. Meanwhile Robert, from Staffordshire, called the performance "superlative" and believes that he could "provide the club with the prospect of going onto greater things this season".

How many more races do you think West End Boy could win this season? 

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