Wednesday 22nd February 2017 - The winners continue.....

Midnight Silver took her tally of wins to 5 on Sunday when winning for the second time this season. Under a tactically astute ride from Sam Twiston- Davies, Midnight Silver coped admirably with the drop back to 2 miles and now looks quite a versatile mare. She is on a free lease, and the lease has been extended for next season as well, so the plan will be to try and get some black type with her to add some more value to her as a future broodmare.

Midnight Silver wins for the 5th time.

Having won so well last weekend, the handicapper punished Lunar Flow with an 18lbs rise which was quite harsh, so we were forced into running with a 7lbs penalty at Towcester where he was an honourable 4th and not beaten far at all. He deserves a bit of a break now before we go again off a considerably higher mark.

Lunar Flow up 18lbs!

I was pleased to see Blue Bullet run another cracking race to be 2nd again in another bumper, this time at Fontwell under Page Fuller – who is riding out of her skin and is leading the ladies amateur championship. Blue Bullet deserves to win his bumper before progressing over hurdles.

Page also rode Oliver’s Island who was 4th in a bumper at Towcester, which was a lovely debut, and he looks a nice type to progress as well.

Having won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup a few times myself as a jockey, I’ve always wanted to win it as a trainer…..and we came close yet again last week as Ardkilly Witness was 2nd again. Obviously, it was a shame not to win, but he’s run a lovely race and if we were beaten by anyone I’m glad it was Guy Disney who beat us – what a great story for him to get back into the winner’s enclosure after losing his leg in Afghanistan. Harry Wallace has given our lad a lovely ride however it was unfortunate that we were probably left in the lead too soon and he’s idled coming into the Pond Fence when holding a commanding advantage. I was pleased how he’s rallied again when the winner came passed us, but at the line I think we were beaten by the best horse on the day. All roads now lead to the Grand Military, and let’s hope we can go one better!

Ardkilly Witness is 2nd in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.