Belle de Manech made a sparkling debut over fences with a clear cut victory in a £15,000 mares novice handicap Chase, in the colours of Martyn Chapman at Wincanton on Boxing Day.
She was given a lovely, patient ride by Rex Dingle who soon had her in a nice rhythm and was happy to follow the pack round for a circuit as they had more experience than her over fences. It was also on this day last year at Wincanton that Rex rode out his claim on ‘Belle’
Her jumping was foot perfect, if a shade big at times, and another fine leap at the cross fence brought her onto the heels of the leaders.
Belle de Manech then cruised through to lead after the third last and swiftly drew clear to win by fourteen lengths. While the race may have fallen apart late on there is no denying the impressive manner of the victory on soft ground that suits her so well.
A wind op in the summer has helped her bounce back to form and she has now won a bumper, novice hurdle and novice Chase.
Given similar ground conditions I’d like to think there is more to come from Belle de Manech and I’d be tempted to let her take her chance in a mares’ Listed Chase on a flat, galloping track.
