Cyrus scores at Kelso
● Emotional win in Morebattle hurdle for trainer Jefferson
Cyrus Darius gained an emotionalsuccessinthetimeform Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso to supply Ruth Jefferson with her first winner since the death of her father Malcolm.
Jockey Brian Hughes, successful earlier on aboard Taxmeifyoucan, was always confident on the 5-2 chance who slammed Better Getalong by twelve lengths to win the prestigious event for the second year in a row.
Jefferson said: “I’m delighted with that as the horses have all been running well. He’s a lovely big horse and we’re not ruling out going back over fences. We’ve no plans but I’d say we’ll mix and match it with him hurdling and chasing.”
Bigriversawoffshantouflyer in pleasing style to land the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase by four and a half lengths in the hands of Derek Fox.
Winning trainer Lucinda Russell said: “He loves it round here as that’s five wins from six visits. He’s in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham but I’m not sure if that’s the race for him.
“I’m delighted to win this race as Major Straker gave me a valuable reference when I applied for a licence some 20 years ago.” Meanwhile, Joseph O’brien brings Bachelor back over from Ireland for the 32Red.com Handicap at Newcastle this evening and the hint should be taken.
A winner at Kempton last time out, O’brien obviously feels it is worth the effort again, but he finds himself in a tight little race. The ratings band is 0-80, yet four of the five runners are rated within 4lb of each other.
Owned by Irish rugby star Ronan O’gara, Bachelor had threatened to show his ability on more than one occasion, but he needed gelding to coax it out of him.
The Kempton run was his first since the operation and given he won a little cosily in the end, there should be more to come.
Karl Burke’s Lumi made a very nice debut recently and gets the vote in what could turn out to be a decent 32Redsport. com Fillies’ Novice Stakes. There are some well-bred fillies from some big Newmarket yards in opposition, but the Canford Cliffs youngster showed she will be winning races when third at Gosforth Park at the end of last month.