Wind op looks to have done the trick for Westerton

July 1

Four of our six runners over the week-end finished in the first three, so, while we did not manage a winner, there were plenty of positives to emerge from the performances of the sextet.

Spartan Army eventually trailed in seventh in the prestigious Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, but it was always going to be tough from his outside draw and entering the final furlong he had worked his way into third place and was bang in contention for a slice of the prize money.

Alan was delighted with Westerton‘s comeback after wind surgery in the Pertemps Handicap. He adopted his customary front-running tactics and had the chasing group at full stretch passing the two-pole, but he was ultimately worn down and had to be content with third place. He had disappointed in his two previous races this year, but clearly his wind was giving him a problem and the op has done the trick.

Winter Reprise was certainly not discredited in the same race, albeit finding it all a bit too much in the last 300 yards. He finished fourth at this meeting 12 months ago when with David Menuisier, and he showed us enough at Newbury in May to suggest he’ll soon be paying his way for Clive Washbourn, be it on turf or the all-weather surfaces.

Also on Saturday, Loughville ran very well to finish third in the fillies handicap at Chester. She was 10lb higher than when winning at Wetherby, and it was encouraging to see her finish her race in style up the short Roodee straight.

And let’s not forget the pair we sent to Wolverhampton’s tapeta meeting. Implacable is a half-sister to our first Royal Ascot winner Primitivo, and just as he relished the mile and a half in the 2016 King George V Handicap, similarly Implacable appreciate the step up in trip for what was her first run in a handicap. They were never going a strong enough pace in this small field for her to show off her stamina, but she is definitely going the right way.

Likewise, Star Time, bred by his owners, the Hunscote Stud, looked one for the notebook when finishing second on his debut at Dunstall Park.  The slow-run race was never going to suit him, but he belied his odds of 33-1 and looked strong going passing the line, so everyone was delighted at this first attempt.