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BILLY WEBSTER
24th April
Billy Webster got our two year old season off to the perfect start under Apprentice Billy Loughnane. Surprisingly, he jumped slowly however, showed some class to recover his position and travel smoothly through the middle part of the race. He made his challenge in the style of a nice horse but was carried substantially across the track by the eventual second. I was particularly pleased with his attitude late on as he managed to get up in the dying strides and galloped out well. I expect him to improve significantly for this run and it's likely he could get another furlong in time. It’s always nice to get off to a positive start with the two-year-olds as it gives us some sort of marker for the rest of them moving forwards. He also provided us with our 10th winner of the year, our best start yet.
PERFECT GENTLEMAN
17th April
Perfect Gentleman ripped back into life under Billy “The Kid” Loughnane. He found the 12f to far last time but was back to his best over his beloved mile at Kempton. He missed the break but was well positioned in a slowly run race. He won in the style of a progressive horse. Pleasingly he’s still physically and mentally immature so I feel he should continue on an upward trajectory through the rest of the year. I’m certainly not ruling out a step up in trip, but he seems very comfortable at a mile.
It was a great evening shared with family and friends at Kempton and I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the season with this horse.
MELLYS FLYER
10th April
Melly’s Flyer has been a very frustrating character this year. However everything panned out smoothly under a resurgent Marco Ghani at Wolverhampton. He broke clean and although wrestled for his head for a 100 yards or so, got himself into a nice rhythm. Down in grade it was just a matter of keeping him balanced as he galloped all the way through the line for a comfortable success. Its always nice training winners for Liam, who has become a dear friend since purchasing the horse in Spring 2020.
MARGARET BEAUFORT
8th April
Homebred Margaret Beaufort backed up her recent win in good style under newly crowned All -Weather champion Jockey Dan Muscutt. It turned into a slightly tactical affair, fortunately Dan was well positioned to fend off the late challengers.
Margaret is a tall attractive filly with a nice pedigree. She’s done nothing but improve all year. It’s particularly satisfying as at one stage she was a more than tricky customer. It always gives us great pleasure to train winners for Fawzi Nass who not only is our landlord but a great supporter of the yard. I’m confident that Margaret can keep improving and it's likely she will handle a step up in trip and a return to the turf.
EIGHT MILE
31st March
Eight Mile has been something of a frustrating character since handicapping. He put that right with his performance on Friday taking up a sensible position under Benoit de la Sayette moving smoothly through the race. The revs were high when the gap came, and he was able to take it smartly, quickening up to the line like a horse that was ahead of his mark. The mile seemed to suit him, something I’ve had reservations about in the past. He will now go to Bath for a valuable 0-60 handicap on Good Friday. He’s a late foal out of a Dubawi mare and whilst he may not be a stable star, he does look a horse that will continue to contribute though the rest of the year. I was particularly pleased to give Benoit his first winner back since his successful stint in Australia and I look forward to supporting him throughout the year.
MARGARET BEAUFORT
10th March
Margaret Beaufort has to be one of the most satisfying winners I’ve saddled in a long time. She’s not been easy to train; but has started to thrive in the last few weeks. She was caught out the back in a slowly ran race which became tactical, thankfully a little bit of class in that grade and a sensible ride from Dan negated any of traffic problems. I thought she put the race to bed comfortably and was good value on the line. Margaret is a homebred from Aislabie so it was even more important we made her a winner. Thanks to Fawzi Nass, for his support as always.
PRYDWEN
6th March
Prydwen bounced back to form in emphatic style under Billy “the Kid” Loughnanne. In a muddling race he found himself shuffled to the back, but showed an excellent turn of foot to put the race to bed in a matter of strides. He was progressive throughout last year so I was disappointed with his come back run. It’s now clear he needed it and was probably a little rusty. I’m delighted to train another winner for Bluestarr Racing who have been great supporters of the yard. I’m very much looking forward to the year ahead with this horse.
GOOSE ROCK
24th February
Goose Rock has been something of a problem child, however he deserved his first victory. 5 furlongs at Lingfield was very much on the sharp side for him and he did very well to get himself into a winning position. Again, Callum Shepherd was seen to very good effect, lifting him late on to win by a short head. He was probably better value than the winning margin would suggest due to the track not suiting him. He’s a good-looking horse, that has a better level of ability than what he’s been showing so I hope this is a catalyst for improvement. Many thanks and congratulations go to Keith Breen, Jack Stephenson and Mark Birkett who have been particularly patient. Let’s hope we can get them back in the winners enclosure shortly.
CARIAD
24th February
Cariad returned to winning ways under a fine ride from Callum Shepherd. She made use of her recent run at Newcastle to get off the mark in 2023. She is now 3 from 5 in handicaps and arguably should be 4 from 5. She was a 5,000gns yearling purchase and looks to be a filly that has plenty of scope for improvement. She’s been mainly tried at a mile but I see no reason why she cant step up to 10 furlongs as the season progresses. Many congratulations to a great friend of the yard Ed Williams.
PERFECT GENTLEMAN
1st February
Perfect Gentleman made the perfect start to life in handicaps. He’s a horse that I’ve always liked however he was a little on the weak side last year and has really come into his own over the Winter. He stepped up to a mile for the first time. Despite an awkward trip, he was well in command by the time he hit the line. I’m so pleased to train a winner for close friends and family who I must thank them for being so patient. I have every confidence he can continue to improve throughout the year.
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