Racing Post – Written by Peter Scargill
15th March 2012
CAPE TRIBULATION landed the Pertemps Final under an ultra-cool ride from jockey Denis O’Regan, narrowly holding off Cantlow and Catch Me in a tight finish at 14-1.
Palace Jester and Kayf Aramis kicked on and made the race their own after the first half-circuit but flicking over two out the pair were coming back to the field.
Cantlow, who had been travelling smartly for jockey Dominic Elsworth, took the lead on the run to the last while O’Regan sat steady on Cape Tribulation before launching him level at the final flight.
O’Regan, whose finest moment as a jockey came on this day four years ago when partnering Inglis Drever to win the World Hurdle, exuded confidence on Cape Tribulation and even a last minute Tony McCoy special on Catch Me could not peg back the Malcolm Jefferson-trained winner.
The victory was a big turnaround for O’Regan who was thrown through the wings of a hurdle when his mount refused on Wednesday.
The jockey said: “He’s a great little horse and Malcolm [Jefferson] has done a great job with him. He ran well in third at Haydock last time and it was a great training performance.
“I suppose I haven’t had a winner here for a while and I’m so grateful to have a winner, I’m really pleased.”