Edwardstone so brave in defeat and Paradias could enjoy a money-spinning 2025

     December 27

Santa might not have delivered all the Christmas presents that Barbury had hoped for, but we can’t complain about a terrific run from Edwardstone under top weight in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase, plus Paradias proving that he is ss good on the all-weather as he is on turf when winning easily at Wolverhampton, a victory which augurs well for the winter.

Edwardstone jumped super at Kempton, leaving that Tingle Creek Chase fall at Sandown but a distant memory, but, while he approached the final fence here in front, the concession of 20lb to Soul Music proved just too much.

It was a brilliant effort from Edwardstone, who will be 11 next week, and, though he is not an easy horse to place, he looks as enthusiastic as ever and could well win more races for Robert Abrey and Ian Thurtle next year.

Paradias, a winner on the Flat last summer at Glorious Goodwood, plus a game second at Epsom Oaks day, had plenty in hand when opening his all-weather account at Dunstall Park, and there are plenty of valuable races on the horizon in the first three months of 2025 which have the name of Paradias pencilled in.