Another rewarding Saturday took us within touching distance of the landmark prize money total of £500,000 earned by our horses this season.
HATOS led the way by doubling his score for the campaign with a determined success in a Class 4 Handicap Chase at Wincanton with the help of a fine ride by Richie McLernon.
Our classy mare Coquelicot finished second in deep ground at Haydock before Kilbeg King was just lost out in a tight finish to the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot.
Dreaming Blue, Captain Claude and Credo were also in the money on a day that confirmed the well being of the team.
Hatos has done well to bounce back this winter from a downward spiral 12 months ago which left me convinced that he wasn’t right. We gave him a wind op, he returned from his summer holiday in better form and relishes testing ground.
Captain Claude has made big strides this season and ran another fine race in finishing second in the staying handicap Chase at Wincanton.
I was expecting a big run from Kilbeg King at Ascot but his task wasn’t helped by several niggly little errors that made the difference between victory and defeat.
He travelled well and led going to the final fence before landing in a bit of a heap which handed the advantage to Henry’s Friend.
I’m sure Kilbeg King has it in him to win a big pot over fences He didn’t have a hard race and heads next to Cheltenham for the NH Chase where he will be ridden by record breaking Point-to-Point champion Will Biddick.
It’s a race we came close to winning in 2018 with another strong stayer Ms Parfois who was also ridden by Will.
Coquelicot has been a fantastic campaigner for her syndicate of owners under the Geegeez banner and picked up more black type in chasing home Stainsby Girl in a Listed mares’ hurdle at Haydock.
Later at Haydock Credo kept on top finish fifth in the Grand National Trial despite a couple of jumping errors.
We will give her a little break now and freshen her up for a four mile handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival that we always like to target.
