LOUGHDERG ROCCO was returning from an 81-day break, dropping in class and trip. He found this test a tad too sharp but still had enough in hand to defeat his main form rival in ready enough fashion. The 6yo is an Irish point winner who should have even more to offer over regulation fences at some stage.
Bold Endeavour made a classy debut over hurdles at Sedgefield under a confident ride from Adam Wedge, he looks to have a bright future.
Add 9yds. Fair form in this maiden hurdle and the principals have the potential to go on to better things. Lanty Slea was around 2 lengths down in second when unseating on the turn before the second last. BOLD ENDEAVOUR, a ready bumper winner here in the spring, followed up switched to hurdles on his return. It wasn't quite as straightforward as the eventual result might suggest but he was going away at the finish and there should be more to come, particularly as his stamina is drawn out (3m point winner).
Tackling 3 miles for the first time over fences, Tardree made all to win comfortably at Market Rasen under a tactically astute ride from Sean Bowen.
TARDREE, who made a winning debut over fences in June before disappointing when turned out only five days later, had been given a break since. He was back in fine fettle here, racing enthusiastically and producing some bold jumps, but also putting himself right when needed. This longer trip suited and the way he finished his race suggests an even greater test of stamina won't be a problem.
Having dropped in the handicap by a few pounds Beatiful Ben benefitted from an excellent ride by Adam Wedge to record his fourth win for the yard.
BEAUTIFUL BEN had not been at his best in three previous runs this season but, down in the weights and dropped in class, he was able to get back on track. Whether he would have won had his main rival not departed after being upsides at the last is open to question but he could do no more than handle his side of the bargain. It was reported that he was struck into so his victory was particualrly praiseworthy.
Given a very patient ride, Dream Point swept from the back to win close home at Catterick Park to give Violet Barton her first winner under rules.
DREAM POINT swept late under a finely timed ride, a first winner under rules for her jockey Violet Barton, who had been aboard when the 6yo went close at Nottingham nine days earlier. She got well back after a slow start, so is clearly back in top form and was weighted to win again on old Irish form.
QUOTES: This was always the plan to come here and then go to the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. FIRE AWAY is a better chaser than he is hurdler, but this was to bring him on as he’s still a novice over hurdles. We’re ready for two weeks time now. He’ll have a great chance, he only ever does enough as much he wants to do. He was idling in front today but he still won impressively. The two horses that beaten him are both Nicky Henderson’s and probably Graded-level horses – Laura Morgan, trainer.
FIRE AWAY could be called the winner from a fair way out having travelled strongly, and despite idling on the run-in, ran out a convincing winner. He has been in cracking form since landing a gamble in February and added a fifth success now reverting to hurdles, a first in this sphere. Although he'll be racing off a career-high mark when returned to fences for the Summer Plate at Market Rasen later in the month, he can go there with a decent chance.
Under a determined ride from Adam Wedge, Licklighter fought back on the run in, after being headed to get up close home and continue the fine run of the yard.
LICKLIGHTER showed plenty of determination to get up close home and beat a course specialist in a race that became a match turning out of the back straight. He had been headed narrowly when not putting in the cleanest jump at the last but battled back strongly on the run-in. This was his fourth win over fences, and his third since joining this in-form yard from Denis Hogan last year. He may not have stopped improving yet and looks like he could stay even further too.
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.
