BREAKING COVER extended his summer of excellence with his first success over fences in a £15,000 handicap Chase at Newton Abbot on Saturday.
Conditions at the track were not what you expect after such a prolonged dry spell but I wasn’t too worried as persistent rain turned the ground softer by the minute.
The favourite Centara set off at a brisk gallop with Breaking Cover slightly outpaced as he jumped a bit novicey, but safely.
Sam Twiston-Davies felt the leaders couldn’t maintain that tempo and brought him through to challenge at the second last where a bold leap took them to the front.
It helped that he was getting a stone from Centara as he kept on to win tidily by three and a half lengths.
It was a pleasing victory for Breaking Cover and a timely reward for the patience of his owners Phil Cartwright, Gill Langford and Philip Saunders.
While he’s a horse we have always liked, he has had a few niggly little physical issues that have held him back and he’s now better and stronger than when he first ran over fences.
It’s been good to see him run well all summer with three wins and a third place over hurdles at Newton Abbot nine days ago when he finished a bit tamely.
I’m pleased I was brave enough to turn him out again quickly after that and now that he has won over fences it gives us more options for the future.
