MISS GOLDFIRE AND VALADON WIN AT FONTWELL

We enjoyed an excellent double over hurdles at Fontwell on Friday 25 April, with our final runners of the season. It was the perfect tonic before we head to Punchestown next week with Beat The Bat and  Kap Ouest.

First to score at Fontwell was Miss Goldfire in a maiden hurdle in the colours of the Harry Fry Racing Syndicate.

She has been running consistently well all season, having finished second on four occasions,  and I was delighted to see her get her head in front with the help of a positive ride from Ciaran O’Shea who has been with us for six months.

Miss Goldfire jumped well, clearly enjoyed herself as she stretched clear on the run in and could be out again in three or four weeks.

Valadon completed the double for the yard with a timely return to form in a Class 4 handicap on his first try at two and three quarter miles.

He had some useful form last season, but didn’t take to fences on his first start at Chepstow in November, and it has taken all this time to build up his confidence again. The step up in trip certainly helped and we were encouraged by the way he schooled over hurdles in Tuesday morning. Bryan Carver saved ground the whole way on Valadon who jumped neatly, travelled strongly and led after the second last before tending to idle in front with victory assured.

There should be more to come, given that he is still only five and has his confidence back, so I wouldn’t rule out another run in May if the ground is suitable.