LATE STARTER TRIUMPH

BAY SLY, a headstrong horse described as a “bit of freak”, could be a bit of star.

Last Friday (9 June), he turned the final of the Subaru Restricted Point-To-Point Series into a rout.

The 10-year-old (below) is something of a late starter, having shown vague promise over hurdles before arriving at the Shropshire stables of Heidi Brookshaw a year ago. He did not appear in a point until as recently as April, but having annihilated his rivals in two outings, arrived at Stratford as the clear favourite for the extended 2m 6f contest.

Bay Sly pulled his way to the front from the second fence but thereafter settled for Max Kendrick. He was never threatened and scored by six lengths from Ruperra Tom, with Changeofluck 13 lengths back in third.

“My biggest fear was a false start and not getting him back,” said Kendrick, who is attached to Ben Case’s stable. “He’s a bit of a freak but obviously he’s a very good horse to get away with it. I didn’t quite believe Heidi [Brookshaw] the first day I rode him when she said he was very keen.”

Brookshaw, whose father Steve trained Lord Gyllene to win the Grand National in 1997, was given Bay Sly by trainer Seamus Durack when the previous owners decided to discontinue.

An infection in the withers forced Brookshaw to give the horse time and explained his relatively late appearance in the Subaru qualifier at Sandon.

“He’s a very good horse to do anything with — apart from ride! He has to have a Citation bridle on, otherwise he’ll stick his head up and bolt, but once he’s in front he settles,” she said. “Once he won at Sandon, this was always the aim.”