Race-fit Forest Bihan gets the better of Kalashnikov in Old Roan Chase at Aintree
RACE-FIT Forest Bihan caused a minor upset in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Brian Ellison’s charge prevailed in a sprint finish up the straight with several obstacles omitted due to low sun.
The £80,000 Grade 2 was billed as a head-to-head between Grade 1-winning pair Kalashnikov and Frodon.
The former was sent off the 7-5 favourite, and everything seemed to be going to plan as he travelled sweetly in the hands of Jack Quinlan alongside top-weight Frodon.
But Brian Hughes looked equally confident aboard Forest Bihan, and it was the 9-2 shot who showed the best change of gear on the run-in to win going away.
Kalashnikov, who made one particularly bad error down the back, and eventual third Frodon will no doubt improve for the run, but this was Forest Bihan’s day.
Ellison said: “I’m over the moon with him. Brian gave him a great ride and everything went well.
“We ran him at Kelso a few weeks ago (finished third) and he improved loads for that.
“He hadn’t won over two and a half miles before, but Brian said the ground was pretty soft today and he seemed to stay well, so he’ll definitely get it on good ground.”
Ellison added that next month’s BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham could be Forest Bihan’s next target.