Alan King’s seasoned veteran, Edwardstone, secured his fourth Grade One victory in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown, delivering a performance that seemed to rewind the clock for the eight‑year‑old gelding. The win was especially poignant given the backdrop of a day that saw Dan Skelton claim his first trainer’s championship and become the inaugural trainer to break the £5 million prize‑money ceiling.
Tragically, Skelton’s own star, Thistle Ask, who had dominated the season, suffered a fatal injury during the two‑mile contest, casting a somber shadow over the festivities. The race unfolded dramatically. Thistle Ask, attempting to evade an incident involving stablemate Mirabad, caused jockey Tristan Durrell to be unseated.
Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien’s Solness struggled on a less than ideal day, allowing JPR One to take an early lead. As the field turned into the final straight, JPR One held a narrow advantage, but Edwardstone, sent out at 11‑1, stayed on the outside under Tom Cannon and surged up the hill that had previously witnessed his Tingle Creek triumph in December 2022. After crossing the finish line, a visibly moved King reflected on the significance of the victory: “This is one of the most emotional wins of my career. The horse has been in superb form, and Plumpton sharpened him perfectly last time.
He’s never been this quick. When Tom asked if we should rev him up at the start, I told him there was no need – Plumpton had already done the work, and he’s a different horse now.” King went on to describe his tactical plan, noting, “If you’re a couple of lengths behind at the Pond Fence, you have a real chance.
The atmosphere was incredible, the crowd was fantastic, and Edwardstone is a truly special horse.” He added, “We have our ups and downs, but today ranks among the best moments. It’s been a while since we’ve had a Grade One win, so this feels great. Perhaps his Grade One days were behind him, but with Jonbon absent and the tragedy earlier, the race opened up for us. We’re not talking about retirement yet – I might even finish before him.
He’s tackled this hill countless times at home and still attacks it every morning. That’s why I want to keep going with him; he’ll tell me when it’s time to stop.” The story continued to resonate with fans, as the narrative of Edwardstone’s resurgence was highlighted throughout the day’s coverage. Cannon, who has ridden Edwardstone on numerous occasions, praised the horse’s consistency: “The race unfolded exactly as we hoped. I’ve ridden him around this course many times, and it always follows a similar pattern.
We hit the Pond Fence, I gave him a squeeze, and he finished strongly. Plumpton really put him in the right frame of mind, and today we reaped the benefits.” He continued, “He’s been a great servant, giving me many memorable days, and this could be the pinnacle of them all.
The crowd gave him a tremendous cheer, and to achieve this on the final day of the season is remarkable. Alan King deserves a lot of credit for keeping the horse in top condition.” The day’s tragic side was addressed in an official statement from Sandown regarding Thistle Ask: “Thistle Ask sustained an injury in the bet365 Celebration Chase. He was examined on‑course by Sandown’s specialist veterinary team, and it was concluded that humane euthanasia was the most compassionate option for his welfare.
Our deepest condolences go to his daily caretakers and all his connections.” In other news from Sandown, Havaila continued his rapid ascent under a patient ride from Caoilin Quinn, capturing the bet365 Gold Cup. Despite a smaller field compared with previous years, the seven‑year‑old, owned by Gary and Josh Moore, proved his mettle as a genuine Grand National prospect. After winning the Sussex National in his last outing, Havaila carried a 10‑pound penalty but still entered the race as a 5‑1 favorite.
Throughout the contest, Quinn kept him in contention, and even when Our Power and Road To Home challenged at the Pond Fence, Havaila maintained his momentum. Havaila’s finish was a testament to his resilience: he crossed the line a short head ahead of Our Power, with Road To Home a neck back in third.
Gary Moore praised both horse and rider: “Caoilin gave him an excellent ride and timed the switch perfectly. He’s stepped up this year and deserves the credit.
I thought we’d have a lot of ground to make up, but he kept going. He’s travelled a lot and finally got there, and at least he won’t have to carry an extra 10 lb next time. Let’s hope he’s fit tomorrow morning for the long‑distance run. We may have to aim for the Grand National after this, but for now we’ll enjoy today’s win and look ahead to next season.” Overall, the Celebration Chase delivered a mix of triumph and tragedy, showcasing the highs and lows inherent in horse racing.
Edwardstone’s victory reminded fans of the sport’s capacity for redemption, while the loss of Thistle Ask underscored its inherent risks. As the season draws to a close, connections of both winners look forward to future challenges, hopeful that the momentum gained will carry them into the next campaign.