Betting
CHELTENHAM REWIND: HAZEL HILL WINS THE 2019 FOXHUNTERS’ CHASE
Philip Rowley’s star has been retired at the age of 13
Following the news of his retirement, we take a look back at Hazel Hill’s finest hour in the 2019 Foxhunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The gelding won six of his eight starts under rules and he claimed 12 wins in point-to-point contests.
After winning his first three hunter chases, the then 11-year-old went off as favourite for the 3m2½f contest on the final day of the Festival.
Rowley’s gelding remained in midfield for the majority of the contest and began to make headway on the leaders in the closing stages.
Coming over the second last, he began to mount a challenge on the leading Road To Rome and found himself in the lead by the last fence.
He quickened clear of his rivals in the home straight and didn’t look back, winning by four lengths from Richard Hobson’s Shantou Flyer.
Hazel Hill followed up with another victory at the following May meeting and finished fourth in the 2021 edition of the Foxhunters’.
The gelding will now spend his retirement with owner Diana Williams and her family.
