The decision to run DEAR RALPHY again quickly after his narrow defeat at Plumpton on Monday was rewarded with a comfortable victory at Chepstow four days later in the colours of Jon Pike.
It was frustrating that he was only just outgunned in a tight finish at Plumpton by a well handicapped horse with the pair of them clear of the pack.
We felt Dear Ralphy was virtually a winner without a penalty that day and given that he seemed fine in the days afterwards it made sense to turn him out again at Chepstow in a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over three miles.
His jumping was really good as he led for most of the way, ridden by Ben Godfrey, and kept on strongly without being at all hard pressed to win with something to spare.
Dear Ralphy has the option of taking up an entry at Lingfield on Thursday. If not we will wait for two or three weeks before running him again.
He stays well, is progressive and given how well he jumps we are looking forward to seeing him tackle fences sooner rather than later.
Well done all????