Soul Icon loved a well-deserved day within the solar with a shock success within the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton Park.
It has been some time between drinks for Keiran Burke’s secure star, who had picked up second place in 5 successive races since final tasting victory over hurdles at Fontwell in October of final yr.
The seven-year-old was seemingly outclassed when final of 4 within the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown on his most up-to-date outing and was despatched off at 16-1 taking over the likes of Boothill and Edwardstone on this restricted handicap.
It was a straight shootout barring accidents from midway up the house straight, with Harry Cobden and Soul Icon challenged by Tom Cannon and Edwardstone, from whom Burke’s runner was receiving a stone and a half in weight.
That further burden informed late on as with the far rail to assist, Soul Icon knuckled down on the run-in to safe high honours and his first win over fences by three and a half lengths, with 2-1 favorite Martator an additional seven lengths away in third.
Burke, claiming his first big-race winner since saddling Hunt Ball to win on the 2012 Cheltenham Competition, stated: “I’m delighted as he deserved that. He’s as real as they arrive and he’s simply been unlucky to stumble upon one a number of occasions.
“It was a stunning trip from Harry, excellent. It was the exact opposite of what I wished him to do, however he is aware of what he’s doing and is aware of greater than I do!
“I don’t actually have any plans as he’s floor dependent – we do want this higher floor. We’ll see what the climate is doing and see what’s out there for him.”
Cobden informed Racing TV: “It’s nice to trip any winner, however particularly on the large days. I get a buzz using any horse to win in a race like this and it means a lot extra to these little guys as a result of they don’t have many darts to throw on the board.
“We went very fast with two eager horses in entrance and I simply thought we’d take a lead and observe away. He’s not a really large horse, however he’s intelligent and he’s bought an enormous bounce whenever you want it.
“Delivering I assumed Edwardstone had practically 12st and I didn’t wish to be wherever close to him actually. I simply thought we’d keep away from an outdated, skilled horse as I didn’t wish to assist him alongside.
“He’s been very unfortunate. Three or 4 occasions over fences it’s appeared like he was going to win and one thing has nailed him within the final 25 yards. I feel the way in which the race performed out right this moment, going so fast early, he hasn’t been in entrance too lengthy and it’s most likely helped him out.”
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