GOODTIMECREW COMES GOOD ON DEBUT

The eye-catching victory of the well bred Goodtimecrew at Wincanton on Thursday 2 February was a welcome success after a frustrating week when we have had five seconds from seven runners.

Goodtimecrew is a lovely prospect but to say she has been quite a challenge is an understatement when you consider that six months ago she would not leave her box with the tack on.

The Jago family paid quite a lot of money for her so I wasn’t sure what to think when things were not going to plan in October.

All we wanted on her debut on Thursday was to see her behave before and during the race. Anything else was a bonus. But the way she won from way off the pace after a brilliant educational ride by Johnny Burke showed that she has an enormous amount of ability. Johnny then had the cheek to come back in and ask what all the fuss was about!

To see her jump off last and then stay there for a circuit before passing pretty much all the field of runners in the final straight was quite something.

I’m delighted and relieved in equal measure and grateful for all the hard work with her by my wife Ciara and Hugo Hunt, our assistant, who rides her every day.

For the last six months Goodtimecrew has been telling us what she would do so I will not be in a hurry to run her again quickly. Instead I’ll wait for her to show me that she is ready for her next race.