Chris Waller gets the one that counts on Chipping Norton Stakes Day by claiming the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes with his old war house #3 Danleigh.

He got the best jump out of the gates and shifted across from barrier eight to sit three wide going around the turn but it didn’t worry Hugh Bowman who was under instructions to get wide as long as he had cover.

That’s exactly what he did following the pack right through onto the home turn before getting a run about half way down the straight and never looking back.

The turn of speed was incredible from the six year old which blitzed to the lead and was never going to be challenged after going a length clear.

Second across the line was #6 Centennial Park which ran a good race but perhaps did a little too much work early and couldn’t match the turn of foot late in the race.

In third was #12 Sacred Choice which hit the line hard to grab the last spot in a photo from #7 Maluckyday.

There might be a few a little unhappy with Maluckyday especially considering it’s the first place he’s missed in his whole career, but he was last a length coming into the strait and had to push his way through the field to eventually find a run back along the rails.

Not bad for a first up run against a Group 1 field and he’ll be incredibly hard to beat as we hit the longer races later in the season.

Take nothing away from Danleigh though with a masterful effort from horse, jockey and trainer to combine and win the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes in fine style.

From here the charge will continue towards a George Ryder stakes assault with Waller saying this horse is only going to get better with a couple of races under his belt.

Final Luxbet Results

1st #3 Danleigh

2nd #6 Centennial Park

3rd #12 Sacred Choice

Photo courtesy (c) Steve Hart Photographics