We enjoyed a double in the two divisions of the mares’ novice hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday with a pair of promising types we bought on the same day in June 2023 at the Goffs Arkle sale.
They took our score for this season to 35 and lifted us into tenth place in the trainers’ table.
First up, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies in the colours of The Afillyeights syndicate, was Limerick Lass who made all the running at a sensible tempo before stretching clear to beat Bunny Bee by thirteen lengths.
Her jumping was very good and she handled the ground well. She had won her bumper nicely and was only just denied in a photo finish on her hurdles debut at Wincanton.
Limerick Lass has progressed since then and is likely to run next in the valuable Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares’ Hurdle at Sandown early next month.
Sam then completed the double on Park Princess who made things tough for herself with a mistake at the second last flight.
That handed the initiative to Onefournine who was still in front led landing over the last before our mare rallied strongly on the hill to gain the verdict by a neck.
The race taught us that Park Princess would be happier with a lead and her fine run at Haydock last time proved that she has a good engine.
She, too, is pencilled in for the Jane Seymour Hurdle at Sandown.
