A double at Plumpton on Sunday took our score for the season to 27.
It was good to resume the winning habit after a busy time at Aintree where Sully D’Oc AA come tantalisingly close to victory in the valuable Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap Chase on the opening day before World of Dreams ran up to his best in finishing an excellent fifth in the red hot Grade 2 bumper on Saturday.
It was not all good news though as Kid Commando is lame after taking a heavy fall in the opening race on National day. And unfortunately Sam Brown had to be declared a non-runner after developing an allergic reaction when he arrived at the course – the vets believe that in a freak occurrence he was stung by a bee in the lorry, which caused swelling up of the glands of his head.
BOB BACKUS was first to score at Plumpton on Sunday in the staying handicap Chase. He has taken his time to get the hang of things, is a bit immature physically and mentally but has improved this season. In addition the blinkers he wore for the first time probably made a difference on better ground he clearly appreciated.
He soon got into a lovely rhythm, led at half-way jumping soundly, and kept on well ridden by Ben Godfrey to win a shade snugly by two and a half lengths from Queen Among Kings.
I bought Bob Backus a while ago, and he has a half brother who has won twice for Henry de Bromhead. Henry has enjoyed a fabulous run of success at the highest level in recent weeks.
CREDO then wrapped up a rewarding day for the yard with a runaway triumph ridden by Rex Dingle in the mares’ bumper. She made all the running, was fully in command turning for home and stretched clear to win by twenty lengths.
It was the perfect start for an attractive type who won her only point to point in Ireland before we bought her for £60,000 at the Tatts Cheltenham sale held at Newmarket in December.
Credo runs in the colours of the Potwell Racing Syndicate II. She is a half sister to Cyclop and Innisfree Lad who won a Challenger series final at Haydock nine days ago. She has impressed with her jumping since joining us and is likely to be seen next in a maiden hurdle in May if the ground is suitable.
Our double at the weekend pushed us past the milestone of 300 winners in total – a good positive bit of news towards the end of what has been a difficult season for us, our team of staff and our owners. We’re really looking forward to welcoming owners back to the yard, and owners and racegoers back to the racecourse.
