Castle Carrack upsets the odds-on favourite on his jumping debut at Sandown

 In Latest News

January 24

How impressive was Castle Carrack on his jumping debut in the opener at Sandown today? Bought for £100,000 two days after he won his bumper for Nicky Richards at Ayr in November, Castle Carrack travelled like a dream for Tom Cannon and, still on the bridle when he challenged Cheltenham winner Diva Luna, the 2-9 favourite, at the final flight, he powered clear on the run to win by three and three-quarter lengths.

Alan, who made no secret of the fact that Castle Carrack had schooled well and that he was looking forward to this introduction, was, like all of us, very much taken by this performance, as was Tom Cannon.

He said:”Castle Carrack had done everything right at home, but he has been off the course for two and a half months and it’s a long way up the hill from the turn into the straight on what is the most testing part of the course.

“However, I decided to ride him like a good horse and see what happens, and you had to be impressed with what he found. He was going equally as well as the favourite two out, and once we jumped the last he really picked up and found his rhythm. I could not have hoped for any better first time over hurdles.”