JAMIE SNOWDEN HAS A RIGHT ROYAL DAY TO REMEMBER

03-03-2006

Jamie Snowden has a strike-rate around Sandown that even Tony McCoy would envy and a memorable double on Inca Trail and First Love made it eight wins from only 17 rides.

A third Royal Artillery Gold Cup win on Inca Trail was thrill enough for the 26-year-old former soldier, now Assistant to Nicky Henderson. But a winning first ride in Her Majesty the Queen’s colours on First Love in the Hunter Chase made the afternoon a truly special one.

Interviewed on television after getting the Henderson-trained First Love home by a length from hot favourite Cracking Dawn after an exhilarating front-running ride, Jamie said: “I’d never ridden for the Queen before. It was a thrill just to put on the colours, let alone ride a winner in them.”

Jamie had earlier employed the opposite tactics on Best Mate’s enigmatic brother Inca Trail, who needs holding up until the last possible moment.

In a race that began in earnest only when Back Nine took the lead from Lord Kilpatrick going to the last, Jamie cooly waited until halfway up the run-in before letting the ten-year-old go. The winning margin was only a head, but Inca Trail asserted instantly when given the office.

Trainer Paul Nicholls was not present, but a return to Sandown in a month’s time for the Grand Military Gold Cup is likely for Inca Trail. Paul Nicholls and Jamie achieved the same double a year ago with Whitenzo.