Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Zambella (3-1) made it three wins in a row in the Listed BoyleSports Houghton Mares’ Chase at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.
On her seasonal return, the eight-year-old, under Daryl Jacob, grabbed a great eighth victory in Listed Mares' contests for owner Simon Munir and Isaac Soude. In the famous two-tone green colours of the owners, the eight-year-old added to previous wins in the 2m4f Listed race at his usual home of Carlisle last year and at Aintree two years when it was also moved following the abandonement of racing at the Cumbrian track. Zambella usually makes the running, but with Dan Skelton's Sacre Ceour going off upwards of 10 lengths clear of the pack, Jacob was happy for the mare to head the chasing pack at the distance. And when the leader tired in the rain-softened ground, Zambella eased to the front two fences from home. She quickly moved clear of her rivals, eventually winning by 17 lengths from Burrows Diamond (15-2).
Next stop will be Doncaster over Christmas where Zambella will bid for a ninth Listed Mares' victory. Bloodstock agent Antony Bromley, racing manager to the owners, said: "That is her ninth win over fences and her eighth in Listed Mares' Chases. SHe has been fourth at the Cheltenham Festival, but she seems like she can't quite do it there. It is just a bit harder. She won the race at Doncaster before and that is her Gold Cup. That is the most valuable one really, apart from the Cheltenham Festival, so she will go to Doncaster.
"She loves it. She likes to make the running but the horse of Dan's was so far in front it was like she was leading the group. She was happy leading her group. She seems in as good a form as ever, so it is fairly easily mapped out
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