TREBLE FOR THE TEAM AT NEWTON ABBOT

A treble at Newton Abbot on Friday 25 March extended our recent purple patch. The horses all look great in their coats, are working well and running out of their skins.

First on the scoresheet on Friday was How’s The Cricket who was making his debut for us. He hadn’t run since winning for his previous trainer Johnny Farrelly 470 days ago.

Johnny did plenty of prep work with How’s The Cricket who was sent to us early February. So I felt the race at Newton Abbot came soon enough but with the ground drying up rapidly around the country I was keen to run him while conditions were in his favour.

He was given a cool, patient ride by Bryan Carver who produce him with a well timed run to lead just after the final flight. It was a decent success under top weight by How’s The Cricket who should make a nice chaser next season.

He was providing welcome consolation for his owner Roly Stuart-Jervis after the recent loss of Song Of The Hunter at Newbury. Late in the day Roly enjoyed a second victory as he also owns a share in Hymac who landed the bumper in style.

We bought Hymac shortly before Christmas after he had finished runner up in two point-to-points. The two horses who beat him have already franked the form by winning under rules.

Two miles round a tight track like Newton Abbot was always going to be on the sharp side for Hymac, a relentless galloper who relished the testing going at the track. He was handy the whole way, eased ahead two furlongs out, was always in control and is a really nice prospect for the future.

Our third triumph of the day was provided by Whisky Express, a jaunty mare who won her only bumper last season and wasn’t right when she made her debut over hurdles at Lingfield.

It took a bit of time to sort things out with her but we have always had believed in her and our faith was rewarded as she bounced back with a comfortable defeat of the hot favourite Bolintlea. As it was a GBB she collected a handy bonus of £10,000 for her connections.

The step up in trip definitely suited Whisky Express who should hopefully keep improving. If the ground is suitable I’d like to bring her back to Newton Abbot for another novice hurdle under a penalty early next season on May 4.

Photo credit: PPA Media