Trained in Yorkshire by Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson, Grand Geste bowled over his opponents with a pillar-to-post success in the traditional Tommy Whittle Chase at the Lancashire track on 20th December on only his third start over fences.
Fourteen members of Ramsbottom Cricket Club, who play in the Lancashire League, were at their local track to watch the six-year-old grey justify favouritism with a spring-heeled display under jockey Danny McMenamin.
Mark Haworth, who runs the syndicate, says: “It was unbelievable to see him win so convincingly as he’s such a young horse with limited experience, but he’s earned his place in the Peter Marsh now, which looks the obvious target.”
The Acre Bottomers, who take their name from Ramsbottom’s ground near Bury, only took ownership of Grand Geste in August this year and are already dreaming of one day emulating Sue’s 2013 Grand National winner Auroras Encore.
“He always promised to be a better horse over fences and stepped up in distance so the Grand National has been mentioned as a possible future target,” adds Mark. “It’s also everyone’s dream to have a Cheltenham Festival runner so the Ultima Handicap Chase could be a target in the spring, depending on his rating.”
Grand Geste confirmed his potential on his debut for The Acre Bottomers when he chased home the highly rated Jukebox Kid at Carlisle at the beginning of November before only just failing to win a two and a half-mile handicap chase at Newcastle. But his near seven-length victory over My Silver Lining in the Tommy Whittle confirmed him as one of the brightest young chasing prospects in the north.
“My family’s been lucky enough to have been involved in some very nice horses with Sue and Harvey (Smith) over the years, including Cloudy Too, who won the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby, and multiple winner Sharp Response.
“But having such a big prospect as Grand Geste for the cricket club members is creating a lot of excitement,” adds Mark, who was an opening bowler for the Ramsbottom second eleven in his youth. “I was only a modest player but the club has a lot of history and has nurtured future stars such as Australian captain Michael Clarke and New Zealand all-rounder Chris Harris over the years.”
Now Mark and his friends are hoping Grand Geste will knock some highly rated rivals for six in the Peter Marsh. Given the style of his breakthrough win, the opposition could all find themselves on a sticky wicket come 17th January.
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