Cyclop being led by Geoff Fairfoull after victory at Newbury under Theo Gillard.
Within 8 days and 5 runs, DD Racing has produced 3 winners and 2 places from his 5 runners.
Innisfree Lad, aged 11, set the ball rolling, at Hereford, a week last Sunday in the Conditional ckeys’ Veteran Handicap Chase over 3mile 1f. Taking the lead after the 3rd fence, jockey, Theo Gillard, continued to give Innisfree Lad a confident ride to win by an easy 8 and half lengths for owners Lorna Hardwick and Bob Allum who were in attendance at their local track.
Innisfree Lad winning for owners Lorna Hardwick and Bob Allum at Hereford
Despite Merry Mistress, our 7yo mare, not travelling much throughout her race, at Ludlow, on only her second start over fences, Tom Bellamy still gave her a strong ride to finish a close 4th and beaten only 4 and half lengths in a Mares’ Novice Chase.
We headed up to Doncaster the following day to watch Ned Fox give Flying Verse a competent ride to gain his third win this season (and his 10th career win for trainer, David Dennis, and owner, Dr C A Barnett,) by an easy 4 lengths, amounting his earnings this term to £41,393 and now having won a grand total of £98,000 in prize money to date. From his 14 runs this season, Flying Verse has been in the first 3 placed horses on every race bar 3 of them… a fantastic horse to have in the yard.
Flying Verse and Ned Fox at Doncaster with owner Dr Chris Barnett
The following day, another game veteran, Cyclop, headed to Newbury for owners DD racing and Professor L P Hardwick. He started this season with a 2nd after a 388 day layoff following a leg injury which confirmed that he hadn’t lost any of his enthusiasm. His runs leading up to a win at Musselburgh last month were consistent and it is great to see him back in the winners enclosure for a 10th career win, at Newbury, on 4th March. Cyclop secured this fantastic feat after his 5lb rise from Musselburgh under a fine ride from Theo Gillard and has now earnt his loyal owners £38,678 this season (with a lifetime of earnings amounting to over £135k).
Cyclop and Theo Gillard taking the lead at Newbury
After a day of respite, Cyclop’s, half-brother, Innisfree Lad, set out again, heading north to Weatherby for a Long Distance Handicap Chase over 3mile 7. Theo Gillard gave him yet another prominent ride to finish 2nd leaving the rest of the field over 14 lengths behind them. From his 7 runs this season, Innisfree Lad has accumulated £20,630 for owner Lorna Hardwick and Bob Allum.
Innisfree Lad at Hereford under Theo Gillard looking round at his brother Fergus in second!
Imperial Pride has made a solid start to her chasing career for owners Dr Tom Davies, Tim Wright and Steve Merry, finishing a close 2nd and 3rd on her two starts last month under Tom Bellamy on both occasions at Market Rasen.
Imperial Pride finishing 2nd on her debut chase at Market Rasen with owners Steve Merry and Tim Wright and head travelling lad, Geoff Fairfoull
The recent snow has left as quickly as it arrived so hopefully, next week, we may all enjoy some fantastic racing at Cheltenham, wishing all connections the best of luck.