Given a classy ride by Adam Wedge, The Wild Westerner cruised to victory in very impressive style in the Market Rasen Bumper.
THE WILD WESTERNER was kept wide for the better ground but travelled sweetly and picked up well after hitting the front with over a furlong to go, winning with some authority. He'd shown enough on debut to suggest a similar race would be within his compass and he's a nice prospect for hurdling
Apart from a slight misjudgement at the third last , Tardree put in a good round of jumping under Adam Wedge to win on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter.
TARDREE, a point winner who was third on his second start over hurdles on his previous outing, was heavily backed to make a winning chasing debut and duly obliged. He survived a scare when putting down three out but soon had matters under control and scored with plenty in hand. This is clearly his game and he would be interesting if turned out under a penalty.
Fire Away continues to improve and won his fourth race over fences for the yard under another very good ride from top jockey Adam Wedge
FIRE AWAY has been in cracking form since the start of spring, winning three times over fences before today and rising 31lb in the handicap. It looked like his progression had stalled when beaten 8l off this mark two starts ago before beaten in a novice hurdle last time. However, he has found another chunk of improvement to comprehensively beat a decent field here and this has shown that he can do it on a sound surface too. He can aim at some nice prizes over the next few months is kept on the go.
First half of a Cartmel double for the yard, Gentle Jolie defied her 7lb penalty with some ease in the capable hands of Adam Wedge
GENTLE JOLIE likely didn't need to improve much to defy a penalty for Hexham but did at least knuckle down well when challenged by the runner-up late on. Tougher tests await but a greater stamina test than this promises to bring about some improvement.
Adam Wedge sat tight as Thomas Todd ploughed through the last fence on his way to another Fakenham victory. He still seems to be improving at 11 years of age !
THOMAS TODD up 7lb for his Perth success, travelled strongly and never really looked in any trouble, although having to survive a scare at the last, to run out a fairly comfortable winner. He has an enviable record at the track and, for an 11yo, still looks to have more to offer. However, life will become tougher once the handicapper has his say but he should continue to make his presence felt with conditions to suit.
Winning Irish point to pointer Bold Endeavour made a spectacular debut in the bumper at Sedgefield , winning very easily under a confident ride from Adam Wedge. A horse with a bright future.
BOLD ENDEAVOUR made a winning debut in an Irish point-to-point in September, beating a subsequent scorer, and changed hands for 190,000GBP afterwards. Hooded for this rules debut, this nice individual ran on strongly and looks a pretty decent recruit. He won't mind it softer. Laura Morgan has won with three of her last five runners
Stepped up to three miles for the first time, Licklighter put in an impressive performance to win under Brian Hughes. A welcome win for loyal owner Paul Read who has had horses with Laura from the start of her training career.
LICKLIGHTER proved suited by this step up in trip. Always travelling with purpose down the inside, he was held onto as long as possible by his rider and fairly sprinted clear when given the office after two out. He will get a fair whack in the weights for this but surely has more to give over marathon trips on summer ground.
Gentle Jolie, making her debut for the yard was a game winner on her first outing over hurdles. It was also a winner on his first ride for the yard for Tommy Dowson.
GENTLE JOLIE, runner-up in the second of two Irish points, looked booked for second on her hurdling debut but was handed a chance when the hot favourite began to falter. Her stamina kicked in on the run-in, strongly suggesting that longer distances will be more her thing in the future.
Thomas Todd was another Perth Festival winner for the Laura Morgan yard when making all under an enterprising ride from Patrick Cowley.
THOMAS TODD loved it out in front and wasn't for catching after skipping clear off the home turn. This drying surface was a lot more to his liking and, despite jumping out to his left, he has to be rated value for a lot further. Much now depends on how the handicapper views this.
After 449 days off the track, Taras Day was trained to perfection to make a winning return and first winner under rules for yard amateur Lewis Dobb
TARAS DAY hit top gear nearing the last and shrugged off a 449-day layoff to win readily. She was 3lb lower than when just missing out on her final outing early last year, but this was a fine effort and the 8yo is open to improvement as a stayer.
