Mary Reveley has her team in great form and the Saltburn trainer can enjoy more success with Straffan Gold in the Hutton Wandesley Novice Handicap Hurdle at Catterick today.
Carrying the colours of British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill, the four-year-old, sporting blinkers for the first time, came good after some disappointing efforts in a seller at Market Rasen last month.
Given an aggressive ride by Peter Niven, Straffan Gold made all the running and, quickening clear three out, came home unchallenged by three and a half lengths from subsequent winner Balmoral Princess.
He took a step up in class to a novice handicap next time at Exeter and was still in contention when falling two out in the race won by Selberry.
Straffon Gold remains on a handy mark - top amateur Alan Dempsey reduces his weight to just 10st 2lb - and is napped to land today's moderate contest.
Trainer Howard Johnson remains a member of the Paul Carberry fan club despite the jockey principally plying his trade in his native Ireland this season. Johnson managed to persuade Carberry over for racing at Musselburgh yesterday and the move paid off as Young Tomo justified favouritism in the Billy Brown & Peter Houston Backroom Boys Novice Chase.
The 6 to 4 favourite, given a positive ride by Carberry, repeatedly jumped left but was still three lengths too good for I'm A Bargain. Johnson said: "Paul is among six or seven outstanding jockeys and having them on your side often makes the difference between winning and losing."
Trainer Paul Eccles made the long trek back to Lambourn last night with a bagful of readies after Camden Fellow stung the bookmakers at Musselburgh yesterday. The southern raider, pulled up on his last outing, was forced down to 12 to 1 from 25s after attracting plenty of support for the Hearts FC At Musselburgh Today Selling Handicap. Camden Fellow, well-handled by Irish amateur Noel Fehily, pulled away after the last to put the favourite Welsh Mountain in his place by three lengths.
A dramatic blaze just yards away from the track threatened to wreck racing at Musselburgh yesterday. Smoke began to engulf the paddock after the fourth race from a fire that broke out in a social club across the road that runs around the back of the racecourse. Spectators' eyes were diverted from the horses as they watched firemen battle successfully to bring the blaze at the Wire Mill Club under control.
Soaked and Sihafi cross swords as they both attempt to break the 20th Century record for the number of nine handicap wins in a season in the Trent Apprentices' Handicap at Wolverhampton today. Last time out Sihafi finished seventh behind Soaked at Lingfield. And with that success the winner also equalled the record. Soaked has since run again, finishing fourth at Wolverhampton.
Folly Road may be taking the high road to the Paddy Power chase at Leopardstown on December 27th after his game victory in the Tote Handicap Chase at Folkstone yesterday.
the Dai Williams-trained gelding led at the fifth fence to hold off evens favourite Mountain Path, who was badly hampered when Flippance fell at the 13th, by five lengths.
"I am considering going for the Irish race, although my chap isn't all that experienced. Yet there is a lot of money for the placed horses on offer", said the trainer.
