GUSTAVIAN ON TAP AT WINCANTON . . . . . . .

We enjoyed a great day at our local track Wincanton on Saturday with GUSTAVIAN and CREDO finishing first and third in the valuable Badger Beers Handicap Chase and BREAKING COVER beaten only a length by Blueking d’Oroux in the Rising Stars Chase.

Gustavian was winning the race at the third attempt and earned £47,500 for his owners Decimus Racing which helped take our prize money for the season to just over £300,000.

He set off in front, jumping from fence to fence, was never seriously challenged and came home nine and a half lengths clear in the hands of Rex Dingle who also rode Blackjack Magic to victory for us in the same race in 2023.

It was a bit of a surprise to see Gustavian given an uncontested lead but once they left him alone he was in the box seat and I’ve never seen him jump like that. He was unreal.

Rex knows the horse well and that you have to trust him. Not trusting him does not get you very far and you just have to go with the flow.

In a way the Badgers Beer was Gustavian’s Gold Cup. He obviously appreciated decent ground and runs well fresh.

While I don’t have any firm plans for him Veterans races are an option with the final at Sandown in January an obvious target.

Credo also ran a fine race to finish third. She is a cracking mare, a yard favourite, and so consistent. She’s another who could head to the Veterans final.

Breaking Cover has put together a tremendous sequence of results and his run on Saturday was arguably the best yet. He certainly looked as if he belonged in Grade 2 company.