SIMON Burrough's hopes of a quick double with his promising chaser Victoria Rose were foiled by the freezing weather that caused Exeter to abandon on Sunday.

The seven-year-old looked a natural on her fencing debut when landing a mares' novices chase over two miles and seven furlongs in heavy ground at Uttoxeter by 19 lengths in late January – and the trainer from Henley near Crewkerne was sweet on her chances of following up in mixed company at the weekend.

Burrough said: "We were very pleased with her at Uttoxeter where she travelled well and jumped magnificently – she had schooled really well at home.

"We wondered whether three miles was too far for her because she had not been strong enough to last out over that trip hurdling when they had gone too fast for her but going that shade slower over fences she handled it fine.

"We have the final of the mares' novices' chase series at Newbury in late March over two miles and six furlongs in mind but wherever she goes it will depend on the ground – she must have it soft.

Liam Treadwell came in for the spare ride at Uttoxeter steering Victoria Rose to the first success of her career after several placed efforts as a hurdler.

The mare is by Old Vic out of West Hill Rose, winner of staying hurdles at Newbury and Uttoxeter inside a month early in 2002 for West Country trainer Victor Dartnall though her biggest claim to fame was probably when runner-up to subsequent RSA Chase hero One Knight at Exeter later that year.

In her racing days West Hill Rose was owned by Devon-based David Staddon and though he subsequently sold her to Ireland as a broodmare he bought her Old Vic foal.

Victoria Rose's six-year-old full brother is the grey Grand Vision who has yet to finish out of the frame after six outings for Colin Tizzard (Milborne Port near Sherborne) and who gained his first win in a Huntingdon handicap in January. Burrough also has Victoria Rose's half-brother, a four-year-old gelding by Definite Article who is expected to make his racecourse bow shortly.

Staddon and his joint-owner Rod Wilcox also have Cridda Boy with Burrough and this six-year-old chestnut will surely be winning soon after two close second places recently over hurdles.

Burrough said: "Cridda Boy deserves to break his duck – he ran a great race at Folkestone last time on ground that was nearly too soft for him."