Another good Saturday winner for Ned Fox and Venetia Williams

Ned Fox and Venetia Williams teamed up for the second weekend in a row to win a valuable handicap chase, this time with Frero Banbou at Newcastle.

Whereas last Saturday it was Mortator who landed the spoils for the in-form duo over two miles, Frero Banbou had to prove his stamina over three miles.

Fox took up the running with almost a mile to go as Ben Pauling’s Bowtogreatness checked out, and Frero Banbou’s slick jumping meant he was always going to be hard to catch.

However, favourite The Changing Man moved stylishly into contention for Brendan Powell and approaching the second-last looked to have all the momentum.

He got in a bit tight, though, meaning the advantage was back with Frero Banbou (17-2) and when The Changing Man also failed to ping the last, Fox was able to drive his mount out to win by a length and a quarter.

“It’s brilliant, I’m very fortunate to be in the position to ride nice horses on a Saturday for Venetia,” said Fox.

“He’s got a bit of scope to him in fairness, he ran over the National fences last time which helped him switching back to the normal ones, he’s a brilliant jumper.

“That was his first run over almost three miles so he had to prove his stamina today, too. He’s pretty versatile, all ground seems to come alike to him. It’s good ground today, but he’s won on heavy as well.

“That’s my first winner at the track so great to get another crossed off.”