Bounty claims the Newcastle reward
Saturday, 18 December 2004 14:13There was another exciting finish when Hidden Bounty pipped King Harald by the narrowest margin in the betfred.com In Running Beginners' Chase.
Keith Reveley's useful hurdler was sent off the 11-4 favourite to make a winning debut over fences and was settled towards the rear of the field as King Harald made the running.
King Harald was still travelling strongly in the lead chased by Toulon Rouge as the runners turned for home in the three-mile contest, with Richard McGrath making significant headway on Hidden Bounty.
Toulon Rouge came to grief four out and hampered Hidden Bounty in the process, but McGrath soon had his mount back on an even keel and conjuring a powerful late challenge from the market leader, he nailed King Harald right on the line for a short-head success.
"Richard just got him popping away on the first circuit but he still had plenty to do in the straight and it didn't help being hampered, so he did well to win," said Reveley.
"Richard has done a lot of schooling at home on this horse and the more schooling he had the better he got. He's a decent horse but we'll just keep him low and get some experience into him."
Filed by Katie Byrne
