Kilconny Bridge looked as good as ever as she won her fifth race from six starts at Chepstow on Monday in the colours of the Potwell Racing syndicate.
She was a bit too enthusiastic at times last season so I was over the moon to see her readily settle behind two keen front runners at Chepstow in the three mile handicap hurdle.
It’s fair to say Kilconny Bridge was professional throughout, jumping soundly and travelling within herself before easing into the lead early in the straight and stretching clear for an impressive success.
She won as we hoped she would and was given a fine ride by our conditional Ben Godfrey who was gaining his fifteenth win. He sensibly allowed the front pair to get on with it, handled her well and is growing with confidence as he gains more experience.
After the race, in conversation with Matt Chapman, he commented how our horses are fit for their first run. We have the use of a brilliant gallop, owned by the Barber family at Seaborough. I worked for Richard Barber when I started out, and have been riding the gallop since I was 16, so I know the gallop really well. It’s a big help getting them ready, and a horse like Kilconny Bridge for example, would be hard fit without being hard trained, so there’s improvement in her.
The plan is for Ben to renew the partnership with Kilconny Bridge when she runs next in a two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in December provided the ground is soft enough. We won that race a few years ago with another useful mare Lily Waugh ridden by David Noonan.
Lily Waugh – what a day that was for the Go To War Partnership. Don’t tell my wife but it was the best day of my life !!!!