Edwardstone Rolls Back the Years with Stunning Celebration Chase Victory

Edwardstone, the 12-year-old chaser trained by Philip Hobbs, produced a vintage display to win the Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday, rolling back the years in spectacular fashion to silence doubters who questioned whether age had caught up with the veteran performer.

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Ridden by champion jockey Tom Bellamy, Edwardstone tracked the leaders before making his move at the third-last fence. The response was immediate and devastating, as the son of Presenting powered clear to win by three lengths, stopping the clock at 3:19.32 for the two-mile-five-furlong distance. It was a performance that harked back to his prime years when he was one of the most exciting young chasers in training.

Trainer Philip Hobbs, speaking after the victory, was quick to praise his charge's determination. "He's a very special horse to us. Everyone wrote him off, but he's got such a big heart. He's been training really well at home, and we always believed there was a big run in him. To see him win like that is fantastic for everyone connected with the yard."

The victory was particularly sweet given the setbacks Edwardstone has endured. After a brilliant start to his career that included Grade One victories at Aintree and Ascot, the gelding had struggled for consistency, with several below-par performances leading to questions about his future at the top level. Connections had considered retirement, but the decision was made to give him one more season.

Bellamy, who has partnered Edwardstone throughout his career, was emotional in the winners' enclosure. "I've been on this horse since his first race, and I've seen everything with him. The good times and the bad. To see him do that today, to answer all the questions people were asking about his age, it means the world to me. He's a warrior."

The result has breathed new life into Edwardstone's career, with connections now eyeing the Celebration Chase as a potential launching pad for a return to the highest level. The Sandown crowd, witnessing a masterclass in jumping and staying power, gave the veteran a standing ovation as he returned to the winner's enclosure, cementing his legacy as one of the most beloved chasers of his generation.