Winning double

pippa666 ♦ January 23, 2017

Lady Buttons winning in good style.

We have had a team night out for dinner to The Greyhound Inn at Hackforth to celebrate the ‘across the card’ double of Lady Buttons and Good Time Ahead today, a jumps winner and a flat  winner – proving again that our new facilities at Green Oaks are suiting both codes no problem. Lady Buttons, given a super cool ride by Adam, who has always loved this mare, cruised up to the well supported Kenneth Slack favourite and after the last put the race instantly to bed to record her fourth victory and second over hurdles. She had looked like winning last time but just got tired in the ground to finish 3rd, and after 18 months on the sidelines, she now looks to be coming back to her old form. There is no doubt that if she comes out of this race well that she will have to be entered under a penalty but running on a Monday, there is plenty of time before she is reassessed. Many congratulations to her Owners Keith and Jayne Sivills who bred her, and have been so patient waiting for her to come back from injury. Lucky for us we have two half brother colts here growing up –  Both for sale and blessed with the same good looks as Lady Buttons – the fantastic looking 2 year old by Robin des Champs and a strong

Lady Buttons 2016 half brother by Presenting

yearling colt by Presenting. The outstanding Robin 2 year old, already standing about 16.2hh, is heading to the Arqana sale in July if not sold privately beforehand and of course we would prefer to sell him to stay on the yard. He could be anything – by the outstanding sire of Vatour and Quevega. A potential Triumph hurdler? He wouldn’t look out of place in the paddock at Cheltenham now!!

Good Time Ahead has been threatening to get his head in front the last couple of starts and Paddy Aspell was really strong on him, kicking on round the bend and always comfortably holding the Johnston favourite. This tough Ifraaj gelding is versatile as regards trip – anything from a strongly run  7f to 1m 2f seems within his compass, and as long as the handicapper rates the form round him we should be ok, he  runs fairly consistently.

Tomorrow we have two runners at Wetherby althought is is cold out there tonight, the frost could become a problem. Rocky Two is favourite based on his excellent 2nd last time at this track – Tommy got a real tune out of him then and hoping he can go one better tomorrow – he certainly looked to be enjoying himself up the gallop today! Rich Man Poor Man (Big Rob) is having his debut for Phil’s Mum and Dad, Pam and Geoff Kirby – great to see their orange and white silks back on the track! Big Rob is a huge horse who will need to be seen chasing as a 6/7 year old to be at his best…we are not expecting him to be setting the world alight just yet but he has done plenty at home for his debut. He will look the part in the paddock as he is a real good looking horse by Robin des Champs.