Chris Woodall

Chris Woodall

Article by Alan Trout

Chris Woodall had over 50 rides in the 1992/93 National Hunt season and won six races. He rode as a conditional with York-based trainer Mrs Vivian Aconley and it was on her Mega Blue that he had his first success, winning the Lottery Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase at Doncaster on December 11, 1992. The seven-year-old may have been a touch fortunate as the clear leader Tinas Lad fell four out. Chris kept the ride and they were placed twice from three subsequent starts that season. 

He had his second victory on the all-weather at Southwell on February 17 when Khojohn registered a comfortable success in the Viscountess Ossington’s Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, coming home 15 lengths clear. 

The next win was not so easily gained, Cosmic Ray taking the lead on the flat and landing the Fallowfield Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Hexham on March 18 by a length. Hexham was also the venue for his fourth victory when Khojohn was on target again in the Levy Board Novices’ Hurdle on March 29, scoring this time by two and a half lengths. They followed up at Wetherby on Easter Monday with a 20-length success in the Arkendale Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. 

Back on the all-weather at Southwell on May 3, Chris had his last win when Khojohn proved too good for ten rivals, finishing two lengths clear of Tallywagger at the end of the Greet Handicap Hurdle. The gelding did not run again for a year and Chris had no further success. 

Chris Woodall’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Mega Blue, Doncaster, December 11, 1992

2. Khojohn, Southwell, February 17, 1993

3. Cosmic Ray, Hexham, March 18, 1993

4. Khojohn, Hexham, March 29, 1993

5. Khojohn, Wetherby, April 12, 1993

6. Khojohn, Southwell, May 3, 1993