Ikarak takes the win at Worcester
Fri 13 Oct 2023
WINNER 96 OF 2023: IKARAK, trained by Milton Harris and ridden by Harry Reed: The 'UKO Serviced Offices Novices' Hurdle' over 2m 7f at Worcester.
Back over the fixed brush hurdles, where two starts ago, Doughmore Boy, the favourite here, beat Ikarak by 2 lengths and here we were up in trip.
We were second in the market and Harry sent him off in determined fashion, taking them along in front, at times by around 2 lengths. Making a few jumping errors didn't stop him and after the final hurdle, Doughmore Boy fought back to edge the lead, but Ikarak kept on strongly in the run-in, to win by 1 and a 1/4 lengths.
"Ikarak will beat Doughmore Bay this afternoon, making most." Watch the full race replay here: https://www.attheraces.com/racecard/Worcester/12-October-2023/1615
The Racing Post reported: "Harry Reed rode a double when the Debra Hamer-trained Meechlands Magic won the 2m7f handicap chase and Ikarak scored in the novice hurdle over the same distance for Milton Harris."
Timeform rated it as a 120 performance, saying: "Upped in trip and returned to novice company, went one better than on his previous 2 starts and got off the mark over hurdles, reversing previous form with the runner-up on better terms; made all, jumped none too fluently, travelled well, tackled approaching last, blundered again there, battled well; will stay 3m.”
Harry said in his Sky Sports Racing interview: "He's a gutsy horse and I am delighted that he has got his head in front this time for his owners.”
See the official photo gallery here: https://www.nigelkirbyphotography.com/Horse-Racing/Worcester-Racecourse/Worcester-2023/Worcester-Thu-12-Oct-2023/Race-5/
Syndicate manager Tim says: "He deserved that after three 2nd places in a row and did it in determined fashion. Thanks to Milton and his team and also it's a well done to Harry on his double on the day.”