Alan King’s seasoned campaigner Edwardstone added a fourth Grade One victory to his lengthy résumé by winning the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown, a race that proved both triumphant and tragic on the same day. While King celebrated a deeply emotional win, the meeting was also marked by the heartbreaking loss of Dan Skelton’s standout performer, Thistle Ask, who suffered a fatal injury during the two‑mile contest. The day’s drama unfolded with a series of shifting fortunes, strategic rides, and heartfelt reflections that underscored the unpredictable nature of top‑level National Hunt racing.
The race itself began with a strong showing from JPR One, who, after a less‑than‑ideal run from Joseph O'Brien on Solness, found himself at the front as the field turned into the final straight. Mirabad, a stablemate of Edwardstone, briefly lost jockey Tristan Durrell while attempting to avoid the fallen Thistle Ask, leaving a gap that JPR One capitalised on. Yet, as the horses approached the famed Pond Fence, Edwardstone, sent out at 11‑to‑1, surged forward under the guidance of Tom Cannon. The veteran gelding displayed a burst of speed that had not been seen in his recent outings, allowing him to stay on strongly up the hill and claim the victory.
King was visibly moved after the finish. "That has to be one of my most emotional wins, it was very special," he said. He praised Edwardstone’s recent form, noting that a sharpening run at Plumpton had unlocked a new level of quickness. "Tom asked if I wanted to rev him up at the start and I said there was no need – the job was done at Plumpton and he’s been a different horse since," King explained.
He recalled his tactical plan, adding, "I told Tom that if we were a couple of lengths off him at the Pond Fence, we would have a hell of a chance. It was a wonderful day and the crowd was superb. He’s a special horse." The trainer reflected on the broader context of the win, acknowledging the sadness that had also touched the meeting.
"This is why we do it – there are a lot of down days, but this is right up there with the best. We hadn’t had a Grade One for a while, so this is good.
Perhaps his Grade One days were behind him, but with no Jonbon today and the tragedy back there – I’m sorry for their team – things opened up for us," King said. He dismissed any immediate retirement plans, insisting that Edwardstone still loves his home hill and attacks it each morning. "We’re not discussing retirement today and I might finish before him. He’s been up our hill at home thousands of times and he still attacks it every morning.
That’s why I want to keep going with him and he’ll tell me when he’s had enough," King concluded. Tom Cannon echoed the sentiment, highlighting how familiar the race pattern felt after countless rides at Sandown.
"The race worked out perfectly and I’ve ridden him round here so many times; it always follows a similar pattern. We got to the Pond Fence, I gave him a squeeze and he finished up nicely.
The run at Plumpton really put him in good shape and we saw the benefit today," Cannon said. He praised Edwardstone’s consistency, calling him a "great servant" who has provided many memorable days.
"This could top the lot of them. It’s a proper story, lots of people follow him and he got a great cheer coming in. To do it on the last day of the season is a remarkable performance and Alan King deserves a lot of credit," Cannon added. The meeting’s sombre note came with the incident involving Thistle Ask.
Sandown’s official statement confirmed that the horse sustained a severe injury during the Celebration Chase and, after assessment by the track’s specialist veterinary team, was humanely euthanised for welfare reasons. The statement expressed heartfelt condolences to the horse’s connections and caretakers, acknowledging the deep loss felt across the racing community. In addition to Edwardstone’s triumph, the card featured another compelling narrative: Havaila’s rapid progression under patient rider Caoilin Quinn.
The seven‑year‑old, owned by Gary and Josh Moore, delivered a thrilling win in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, cementing his status as a genuine Grand National contender. Despite a modest field compared with previous years, Havaila, carrying a ten‑pound penalty after his Sussex National victory, was sent off at 5‑to‑1 and raced prominently throughout the contest. Approaching the final stretch, Havaila was challenged at the Pond Fence by Our Power and Road To Home.
Although he met the last fence on an awkward stride, he rallied powerfully to catch Our Power on the line, securing a short‑head victory, with Road To Home a neck behind in third. Gary Moore praised both the horse and his jockey, saying, "Fair play to Caoilin; she gave him a great ride and got him switched off well enough.
She has really stepped up this year and is a good lad who deserves it." Moore reflected on the horse’s development, noting the stamina and determination displayed over the demanding distance. "I thought he had enough to do and a lot of ground to make up but he did it. He’s travelled and travelled and only just got there, but at least he won’t go up ten pounds this time.
Let’s hope he is all right tomorrow morning, running on that ground over that distance, let’s hope he’s OK." Looking ahead, Moore hinted at future plans, including a possible Grand National campaign, while emphasizing the need to recover after the grueling race. "I suppose we might have to go down the Grand National route after that, but let’s get today over with and worry about next season in the autumn.
He’s going in the right direction and he’s just started coming to himself. It’s great to get this race on the CV and we’re really lucky to have this horse," he said.
The day’s events, from Edwardstone’s emotional resurgence to the heartbreaking loss of Thistle Ask and the emergence of Havaila as a future star, encapsulated the highs and lows that define National Hunt racing. Fans were reminded of the sport’s capacity to deliver unforgettable moments, both joyous and sorrowful, and the importance of respecting the welfare of the equine athletes who give so much to the spectacle.
The Celebration Chase will be remembered not only for the triumph of a veteran gelding defying age but also for the solidarity shown by the racing community in the wake of tragedy.