No glory for Waley-Cohens

Killary Bay takes the last to win at 50/1 Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen were out of luck at Catterick with Rumbavu, who could only finish second in the John Wade Skip Hire Novices’ Hunters’ Chase to 50/1 chance Killary Bay.

Rumbavu, a winner of five point-to-points, was making his debut under Rules and was sent off the 11/8 favourite to give the Waley-Cohens a confidence boost ahead of Long Run’s bid to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup next week.

It was Waley-Cohen senior’s first runner as a trainer at Catterick and Gold Cup-winning jockey Sam’s first ride at the Richmondshire venue.

Having travelled keen early, the seven-year-old lost his place on the home turn before staying on again to grab second but well behind the Harriet Bethell-ridden winner.

Robert Waley-Cohen is the current chairman at Cheltenham and was in a relaxed mood ahead of the Festival.

“I think he needs every yard of three miles,” he said.

“He was very keen early on, but Sam said he couldn’t really get him any cover as he didn’t really know what the others were going to do.

“I was impressed with his jumping and I’m sure he’ll come on a lot.

That was my first runner as a trainer and owner here and Sam’s first ride as a jockey.” Rumbavu was sporting brown cheekpieces, which Long Run is likely to wear next week.

Waley-Cohen added: “Long Run had just got a little bit idle, as we all do, and they just help him focus and concentrate.”