Alan King’s seasoned campaigner Edwardstone secured his fourth Grade One victory in the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown, delivering a performance that seemed to turn back the clock for the veteran horse. The win was particularly poignant as it came on a day when Dan Skelton celebrated his inaugural champion‑trainer title and broke the £5 million prize‑money barrier for the first time. Tragically, Skelton’s own star, Thistle Ask, who had been the talk of the season, suffered a fatal injury during the two‑mile contest.
The race unfolded with a dramatic incident when Thistle Ask’s stablemate Mirabad, ridden by Tristan Durrell, was forced to swerve to avoid the fallen champion, resulting in Durrell being unseated. Meanwhile, Joseph O'Brien’s Solness struggled to find a rhythm on the day, allowing JPR One to assume the lead early on.
JPR One held the advantage right up to the final furlong, but Edwardstone, starting at 11‑1, stayed on strongly under Tom Cannon’s guidance, closing the gap as they approached the hill that had previously seen the horse claim the Tingle Creek in December 2022. After the finish, King was visibly moved. “This is one of the most emotional wins of my career,” he said. “He’s been in superb form.
Plumpton sharpened him last time, and he’s never been quicker. Tom asked whether I wanted to give him a big turn‑of‑speed 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 explain his tactical plan: “I told Tom that if we were a couple of lengths behind at the Pond Fence, we’d have a real chance. The atmosphere was incredible, the crowd was fantastic, and walking back with him was a thrill.
He’s a special horse. He reflected on the broader context of the day: “These are the moments we live for. There are many down days, but today ranks among the best. We hadn’t won a Grade One in a while, so this is huge.
Perhaps his Grade One days were behind him, but with Jonbon out and the tragedy earlier – my thoughts are with his team – the race opened up for us.” King added that retirement was not on the agenda: “I’m not talking about retirement now, and I might even finish before him. He’s tackled our home hill thousands of times and still attacks it each morning.
That’s why I want to keep going with him; he’ll tell me when it’s time.” The narrative of Edwardstone’s resurgence was echoed by his jockey, Tom Cannon, who praised the horse’s consistency: “The race unfolded exactly as we hoped. I’ve ridden him around this course countless times, and it always follows a familiar pattern.
When we hit the Pond Fence, I gave him a squeeze, and he finished beautifully. The prep at Plumpton really paid off, and today we saw the benefit.” Cannon highlighted the horse’s loyalty and the emotional connection with fans: “He’s been a servant to us, giving us many great days, and this could be the best of them all. The crowd gave us a massive cheer, and to achieve this on the final day of the season is remarkable.
Alan King deserves huge credit for keeping the horse in top condition.” The day was also marked by a somber announcement regarding Thistle Ask. Sandown’s official statement read: “Thistle Ask sustained an injury in the bet365 Celebration Chase. He was examined on‑course by our specialist veterinary team, and it was concluded that humane euthanasia was the most compassionate option for his welfare.
Our heartfelt condolences go to his caretakers and all his connections.” In other Sandown action, Havaila continued his rapid ascent under the patient riding of Caoilin Quinn, clinching the bet365 Gold Cup. Although the field was smaller than in previous years, the seven‑year‑old, owned by Gary and Josh Moore, proved himself a genuine Grand National prospect. After winning the Sussex National in his previous outing, Havaila carried a ten‑pound penalty but still entered the race as a 5‑1 contender. Throughout the contest, Quinn kept the horse well‑positioned, and despite a brief stumble at the final fence, Havaila rallied powerfully to edge out Our Power by a short head, with Road To Home a neck behind in third.
Gary Moore praised both horse and rider after the victory: “Kudos to Caoilin; he gave Havaila a brilliant ride and settled him nicely. Caoilin has stepped up this year and deserves the credit. I thought we’d have a lot of ground to make up, but he delivered. He’s travelled a long way and finally got there, and at least we won’t have to give him an extra ten pounds next time.
Let’s hope he’s fit tomorrow morning for the long‑distance ground.” Moore added, “We may have to target the Grand National after this, but let’s enjoy today and plan for next autumn. He’s heading in the right direction, just coming into his own. It’s great to add this win to his record, and we’re incredibly lucky to have him.” Overall, the Celebration Chase weekend delivered a mix of triumph, tragedy, and promising future prospects, underscoring the unpredictable drama that makes National Hunt racing so compelling.